Ben Fordham has slammed politicians after many enthusiastically embraced Chinese New Year celebrations but remained silent on Australia Day.
The 2GB presenter criticized politicians during his breakfast show on Friday ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations over the weekend.
Fordham took aim at politicians for their “double standards” after they shared celebratory Lunar New Year posts on social media but “remained silent” on Australia Day.
‘What do you think of this double standard? “Right now we have politicians celebrating the Lunar New Year,” Fordham said.
‘Post selfies and wish people a happy Lunar New Year and attend Chinese New Year celebrations.
‘But go back two weeks and there was silence for Australia Day. No selfies, no “happy Australia Day”, no Australia Day celebrations.’
Radio host Ben Fordham (pictured) criticized politicians for having double standards after many photos were shared wishing people a “Happy Lunar New Year” but “remained silent” during the Day celebrations. from Australia.
Fordham targeted New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, Sydney Mayor Clover Moore, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke, Energy Minister Chris Bowen and the Minister of the Environment, Tanya Plibersek.
Premier Chriss Minns shared photos celebrating the Lunar New Year at a festival in Hurstville, south of Sydney, on social media on February 3 with a caption wishing everyone a “Happy Lunar New Year”.
However, Fordham noted that the prime minister did not wish Australians a “Happy Australia Day” on January 26, but instead shared photos at an Indigenous morning ceremony.
He added the day before the Australia Day celebrations; The Prime Minister also shared a countdown to the Gay and Lesbian Sydney Mardi Gras festival.
Fordham then slammed Sydney Mayor Clover Moore for announcing a 16-day “holiday” for the Lunar New Year and labeling Australia Day as “not for celebration”.
Fordham noted that New South Wales Premier Chris Minns shared photos on social media of himself celebrating the Lunar New Year at a festival in Hurstville, south of Sydney (pictured).
However, on Australia Day, Prime Minister Minns only shared photos of himself attending an Indigenous morning ceremony and did not wish Australians a “Happy New Year”.
‘WWe have the mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. He kicked off the Lunar New Year by calling it a “holiday,” Fordham said.
‘She announced that Sydney was hosting a 16-day party to celebrate, which is fantastic. She said it was one of the biggest events in the city.
‘On social media, Clover Moore said: “Australia Day is a day that marks the invasion.” She says it’s not a day of celebration. “So we’re not allowed to celebrate one day on Australia Day, but Lunar New Year is a holiday that lasts more than two weeks.”
Fordham said other members of the front bench were also silent on their social media accounts on Australia Day.
‘Penny Wong didn’t say anything about Australia Day. “Tony Burke was silent, as were Chris Bowen and Tania Plibersek,” Fordham said.
He added that Communications Minister Michelle Roland also exhibited double standards.
Ms Roland wished Australians a “Happy Indian Republic Day” on January 26, the same date as Australia’s national holiday.
Republic Day is a national holiday in India that commemorates the country’s transition to a republic in 1950.
Fordham said India’s Republic Day was “the only thing worth celebrating” on January 26 for Ms Roland.
Fordham criticized Sydney Mayor Clover Moore (centre) for announcing a 16-day Lunar New Year ‘holiday’
The mayor (second from left) shared photos of Australia Day protests and an Indigenous morning ceremony. In his caption, he claims that Australia Day is “not a day of celebration” and that it “masks the invasion.”
“If you look at her (Mrs Roland’s) social media accounts, she said: ‘Happy Republic Day of India. May this occasion bring celebration, laughter and togetherness, which is nice,” Fordham said.
But for Australia Day he couldn’t use the words “Australia Day”. There is no talk of celebration, laughter, or union.
The radio host praised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for wishing Australians a “Happy Australia Day” on social media, but claimed he was “the odd one out”.
Fordham said other frontbench members remained silent on Australia Day despite some sharing photos celebrating the Lunar New Year (pictured Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek at a Lunar New Year festival).
Fordham said he had “no problem” with India’s Republic Day or Lunar New Year, adding that Chinese Australians have made an incredible contribution to the country for hundreds of years.
However, he said the politician’s double standard in celebrating important dates for other countries and not Australia was “deformed”.
“Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with India’s Republic Day or the Lunar New Year, but it’s a little warped, isn’t it?” Fordham said.
“Our politicians want to celebrate all important dates, except the one that celebrates our national day.”
Australia Day, celebrated each year on January 26, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788, when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, raised the Union Jack in Sydney Cove.
But for many First Nations people, the date is considered “Invasion Day” or “Day of Mourning,” and thousands of people in the country’s capitals participated in protests to change the date of the national holiday. .