Racist and anti-Semitic posts shared on social media by the Northern Territory’s police minister were “satirical”, he claims, as allegations of systemic racism continue to rock the territory’s police force.
On Wednesday, deleted posts from Brent Potter’s Facebook account were revealed, with one 2013 post quoting a Nazi saying: “If there are no orders, go find something and kill it.”
Another post from 2015 uses racist slurs, while a 2016 post is a reshared video of a right-wing commentator “destroying Black Lives Matter with simple logic.”
Mr Potter captioned the video ‘worth a watch’.
In a statement, the police minister and former veteran said he never agreed with the messages shared and that they were a way to contact other military members.
Northern Territory Police Minister Brent Potter (pictured) has defended several racist social media posts he shared
“Like most people, I have posted or shared controversial content on Facebook in my past, but that does not mean I ever agree with all the views expressed there,” he said.
“These Facebook reposts were from eight to ten years ago, when I was in my 20s, and in no way shape my opinions on any subject.
“As a Defense Department veteran…I used social media as a way to connect…including sharing cynical and satirical humor with a military theme that would not be understood by those who have not served.”
The minister said that he has done things on social media that he regrets and that in retrospect he would never do again.
Prime Minister Eva Lawler has backed Mr Potter, saying the messages “do not reflect the Brent Potter of today”.
“Many young people who grew up in the age of social media have posted or reposted things they regret,” she said.
“I’ve said it before: there is no room for racism in this territory.”
The revelations are the latest in a series of scandals surrounding the NT Police, following explosive evidence in an Alice Springs inquest alleging the elite police specialist unit had handed out a racial slur at Christmas parties.
NT Police are now conducting an internal investigation with ICAC after former officer Zachary Rolfe produced certificates to prove the existence of the award.
Senior officers have refuted racist claims about the award, but agreed it was given for ‘an extraordinary lack of excellence in personal hygiene or wild behaviour’.
The recipients were presented with a wooden club containing nails, which was reportedly captured from a remote indigenous community during a period of unrest.
Commissioner Michael Murphy said the award has been discontinued.
“Our own Indigenous workers are hurting, shocked and disgraced by what they have heard,” he said on Wednesday.
Mr Potter had previously shared a video on Facebook (pictured) in which commentator Ben Shapiro criticized the Black Lives Matter movement
Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler has stood by Mr Potter (pictured) and said the posts do not reflect his character
“I can’t understand how they feel, but I and my team have to do everything we can to make sure they feel supported.”
Commissioner Murphy admitted the award was racist, regardless of whether the certificates were verified or not, but said NT Police do not have a systemic racism problem.
“We do have a group of people who continue to use language or behave (racist), but this is being addressed quickly and does not have a wide reach,” he said.
He said there were “racist policy settings” that resulted in unfair barriers to encouraging Indigenous personnel to recruit into the NT Police.
‘Why do we expect someone whose third language is English to take a written exam?’ he said.
Commissioner Murphy said he would meet with ministers this week to work on Indigenous recruitment strategies within the force.
He said he was aiming for a 30 per cent Aboriginal workforce.
“It will take a number of years to achieve that, but I really want a turbo, a high pace and an aggressive approach so that we can make a difference quickly.”
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