Former multicultural minister sorry for ‘racist’ remark

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Former New South Wales multiculturalism minister Mark Coure has apologized for making comments about a newly elected government MP that were called ‘offensive’ and “racists”.

The remark, implying that Cabramatta MP Tri Vo was a service worker, was made during Question Time in the New South Wales parliament on Wednesday, when the rookie MP was about to ask a Minister a question “Dorothy Dixer”.

Women’s Minister Jodie Harrison told parliament shortly after that Mr Coure had ‘made an offensive racist comment’ and called for it to be removed.

“There is no place for racism here,” she said.

Mr Coure, who was Minister for Multiculturalism in the Perrottet government, later apologized for what he said was a ‘weak attempt at humor and not intended to offend’.

“I once again withdraw the comment and apologize to (Mr. Vo),” he said.

“As a former MP for Multiculturalism, celebrating our diversity in our society is our greatest asset.”

Labor later released a statement from Mr Vo saying the comments were in bad taste.

“But that’s not going to deter me from doing my job and representing my community of Cabramatta,” he said.

“That’s what I intend to do – continue to be a strong voice and an advocate.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said it was up to all MPs to ensure the culture of parliament improved, calling the comments “inappropriate and offensive”.

“I’ve had people in parliament deliberately mispronounce my name. It’s not nice. It’s offensive,” he told reporters.

“As a parliament, we should do better.”

Last year, Broderick’s landmark report on culture in NSW parliament found that one in three staff were bullied and one in five had been sexually harassed.

Green MP Jenny Leong called on Mr Coure to apologize to all members of the lower house, saying his comments had offended “many” people in parliament.

“There is no place for that kind of racist commentary in the bedroom.”

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