An Australian minister has become embroiled in controversy following a comment made about people with Irish accents.
Consumer Affairs Minister, Marlene Kairouz, advised Australian homeowners to “automatically ask anyone with an Irish accent” to leave when commenting at the launch of a conmen awareness campaign on October 29.
Her comments can be viewed below.
#9NewsA warning to householders about a pest that thrives as we approach summer; travelling conmen.
#9News | http://9News.com.au
Posted by 9 News Melbourne on Monday, October 30, 2017
The comments, which have angered Irish expats down under, have been labelled as "blatantly racist."
Minister Kairouz has since issued an apology via a series of tweets:
Yesterday I made a comment at a scam awareness campaign launch that caused offence to people with Irish heritage 1/3
— Marlene Kairouz MP مرلين كيروز (@MarleneKairouz) October 31, 2017
Recent scammers have been backpackers from the UK & Ireland & I was giving this info to the public. I admit I delivered this msg poorly 2/3
— Marlene Kairouz MP مرلين كيروز (@MarleneKairouz) October 31, 2017
I sincerely apologise for causing offence and my poor choice of words 3/3
— Marlene Kairouz MP مرلين كيروز (@MarleneKairouz) October 31, 2017
Australia is home to around 70,000 Irish-born people, while some two million claim Irish heritage.
