Pickering comments despicable: Hastie

Federal politician and former SAS officer Andrew Hastie has slammed homophobic comments made by cartoonist Larry Pickering at an anti-Islam event.

Liberal member for Canning Andrew Hastie

Federal politician Andrew Hastie has slammed homophobic comments made by cartoonist Larry Pickering. (AAP)

West Australian Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has launched a scathing attack against homophobic comments made by cartoonist Larry Pickering at an anti-Islam function.

Mr Hastie, a former SAS officer, said it was despicable for Pickering to say not all Muslims were "bad" because "they do chuck pillow-biters off buildings".

"Larry Pickering disparaged Muslims and then praised Islamic State for callously murdering homosexuals by throwing them off buildings," Mr Hastie said on Monday.

"I've watched these films in my previous career and they sicken me. Islamic State are our enemy and must be destroyed using all elements of statecraft."

Australia has ADF troops in the field working to defeat Islamic State.

"We don't need people at home endorsing the actions of our enemy," Mr Hastie said.

"The whole event has reinforced the need for higher personal and civic standards and that is why I am happy to go on the record and express my dismay at the event."

Conservative Senator Cory Bernardi has described the remarks as an "own goal" and totally inappropriate, while former Liberal MP Ross Cameron said Pickering's comments could not be defended.

Mr Cameron also delivered a speech to the Q Society, describing the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper as the Sydney Morning Homosexual.


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Source: AAP



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