Interviewed on Sky News this morning, Australia’s Finance Minister, Mathias Cormann, called Black Lives Matter protesters reckless, selfish and self-indulgent.
Tens of thousands of people have attended protests in various locations across Australia.
"As I think about the heartbreak of families who haven't been able to attend funerals for their loved ones because they were doing the right thing by taking the health advice, my heart just goes out to them." Cormann said. "I mean, as they see people going recklessly to these sorts of demonstrations, that must be just awful for them to watch. I think it is incredibly selfish. It’s incredibly self-indulgent. And yes, it does impose unnecessary and unacceptable risk onto the community."
In response, the deputy leader of the opposition said that Cormann's words were "tone deaf."