'Quite disturbing': South Sudanese community in Australia questions Jason Wood's move into ministry

South Sudanese Australians have expressed concern at the appointment of the Liberal MP Jason Wood as assistant minister for multicultural affairs, citing his use of divisive “African gangs” rhetoric.

Wood, a former police officer, held the marginal Victorian seat of La Trobe, campaigning on law and order issues including combating “violent youth gangs”^[1], and was promoted in Sunday’s reshuffle^[2].

On 30 April Wood posted to Facebook that “African youth gangs are out of control – now at Fountain Gate” [shopping centre in the Melbourne^[3] suburb of Narre Warren].

“I’ve secured legislation to deport foreign-born thugs, but Bill Shorten and Labor will not support!”

Achol Marial, the chairwoman of the South Sudanese Community Association of Victoria^[4], said Wood’s rhetoric was “quite disturbing”.

Marial said the use of racial rhetoric had reduced after the Victorian state election – when Labor had a thumping victory in the face of Liberal law and order campaigning – but Wood now appeared to be “reclaiming that”.

“It was a tool for use by politicians to manipulate viewers and voters to make people think there was an issue, it was a trick … But if you look at the statistics, [the rate of crime committed by] South Sudanese and Africans in general was very low compared to other Australians.

“I find it quite sad that Jason Wood would use it as a tactic to try to get people’s attention.”

Young South Sudanese have reported experiencing ^[5]more racial abuse^[6] because of increased media coverage following a Melbourne riot two years ago.

Peter Dutton’s warnings about African gangs – supported by the former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who said they were a “real concern” – caused particular concern to the South Sudanese community^[7].

On Monday Wood again posted about violence at Fountain Gate, accusing the Andrews Labor government of being “in denial about violent youth gangs”.

Maker Mayek, a South Sudanese Australian lawyer and community leader, said it was “silly” that as Melbourne came to grips with the killing of Courtney Herron^[8], Wood was “talking about something that is not a concern”.

“When he says gangs – his post doesn’t indicate what he means – is he referring to specific races? That’s the language that he’s been using in the past.

“I’m just baffled why somebody like Jason Wood would be appointed at such a time.”

In a statement Wood accepted his role as assistant minister for home affairs, customs, community safety and multicultural affairs “with great honour and pride”.

“As a veteran police officer I have a great interest in home affairs and community safety,” he said.

“I’m very excited to work more closely with our amazing multicultural community and I am looking forward to what this new role entails.”

The Australian’s chief reporter in Melbourne, Chip Le Grand, suggested on Twitter^[9] that Wood “might surprise a few people” in his new portfolio, noting he is a mentor for a Ugandan refugee, Jafri Katagar Alexander.

The lawyer and community advocate Nyadol Nyuon questioned whether this “excuses his racially tinged [Facebook] posts about African communities”.

The chairwoman of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia, Mary Patetsos, congratulated Wood on his appointment.

“This is a critical portfolio area and FECCA looks forward to working with Mr Wood to develop strong policies that help bring Australia’s diverse communities closer together, improve access and equity for migrant groups and stamp out hate speech in our society,” she said.

Guardian Australia has contacted Wood for comment.

References

1. ^{^} combating “violent youth gangs” (www.theguardian.com)
2. ^{^} promoted in Sunday’s reshuffle (www.theguardian.com)
3. ^{^} Melbourne (www.theguardian.com)
4. ^{^} Victoria (www.theguardian.com)
5. ^{^} reported experiencing (www.theguardian.com)
6. ^{^} more racial abuse (www.theguardian.com)
7. ^{^} caused particular concern to the South Sudanese community (www.theguardian.com)
8. ^{^} the killing of Courtney Herron (www.theguardian.com)
9. ^{^} suggested on Twitter (twitter.com)