Far-right fanatics coming to town

By Michelle Webster
Updated November 7 2012 - 12:25pm, first published January 14 2010 - 10:34pm

AN EXTREME right-wing political party is looking to set up a Riverina base and has already started spouting its agenda online.The Australia First Party (AFP) has established an online blog entitled "Australian Identity" which has already taken a swipe at a leading regional identity while also making derogatory comments about minority groups, particularly Wagga's Sudanese community.The anonymous writer describes Griffith mayor Mike Neville as a "traitor," claiming he relishes the "multi-ethnic/multicultural mess his city has become".The individual then makes reference to the recent discovery of the body of an Indian man just outside Griffith.Councillor Neville slammed the AFP blog and said he was outraged by some of its contents."I find it offensive to be called a traitor, I'm a very proud Australian," he said."I'm quite proud to defend our multicultural community."It's obvious their compassion for their fellow man is comparable with their common sense."The AFP blog's racially motivated rant goes on to specifically target Wagga's Sudanese population, claiming their inclusion in the city's fabric has created "a permanently dependant welfare class and a cheap labour underclass".The blog includes a letter from what it claims is a woman who had previously been involved in community welfare.Contained in the long, rambling letter are complaints that those within the Sudanese community are given preferential treatment and "have veritable slush funds to sustain this intrusive community".Wagga man Erwin Richter has been a long-time advocate for the city's African population, volunteering as a refugee settlement co-ordinator to aid the transition of families into the Wagga community.While admitting there had been some early issues, he said the Sudanese and other African populations largely lived in harmony within the community and caused proportionately fewer problems than the Australian-born population. He said claims that Sudanese families jumped the queue ahead of other families were inaccurate."To say they are cashing in on welfare is simply wrong," he said."I've been involved in the Department of Welfare and they are on the queue like anybody else."Mr Richter said he had lost all respect for the AFP and had been infuriated by the claims of their anonymous representative."I'm disappointed really, I did have a certain soft spot for Australia First but the more I look at it I realise they are a recycled version of One Nation," he said."They are so out of touch with reality."

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