One Nation spokesman Paul Funnell has called on the Hoodoo Gurus to cite examples of his party displaying fascist tendencies. Photo: Supplied.
Riverina political figures have hit back at the Hoodoo Gurus, after the veteran Australia rock band called One Nation party supporters “wannabe fascists” in a Facebook post on Tuesday (27 January).
“We have always been appalled by Pauline Hanson and the toxic nonsense she spouts. This is our message to her and her followers: don’t play our music, don’t listen to our band, do not pass go. We want nothing to do with you. In fact, we wouldn’t p*** on you if you were on fire,” the band wrote after discovering their songs were played at a One Nation Australia Day event.
Riverina One Nation spokesman Paul Funnell said such an aggressive post was unnecessary.
“They could just civilly say they don’t agree with One Nation’s political positions and request we stop using their music, rather than behaving like a bunch of pork chops,” he said.
“This is typical of the artistic left; they make billions off the average citizen of the world but don’t have the decency to speak about them respectfully.”
One Nation launched its first ever branch in the Riverina late last year. Its support is soaring nationwide, with a Roy Morgan poll released this week showing it was ahead of the federal Coalition for the first time ever.
Mr Funnell took offence at his colleagues being described as “fascist”.
“I’ve seen no examples of fascism in One Nation; go look at [former Italian prime minister] Mussolini if you want to see a fascist.
“We are the opposite of fascists; we want small government. Fascists want everything done by the government. It just shows the lack of education or lack of intelligence from these people. The toxic left always resorts to name-calling, rather than giving factual examples.”
Dean McCrae, a Temora-based former Liberal Democrat election candidate who has collaborated with Mr Funnell recently, was far more critical of the rock band in a Facebook post that’s gone viral.
“Who gives a f*** what you politically think. What was the last thing you ****clowns did that was successful not driven by bogan Australian champions,” he wrote.
Conservative politician George Christensen also took aim.
“Hoodoo Gurus just deleted from my iTunes. Icehouse was always better,” he posted on Facebook.
Men at Work singer Colin Hay also recently expressed his disapproval of his music being used by right-wing political movements.
He took to social media last week after learning his iconic song Down Under was being played at anti-immigration March for Australia rallies.
“Down Under, a song I co-wrote, does not belong to those who attempt to sow xenophobia within the fabric of our great land, our great people,” he wrote.
Last year, singer John Williamson condemned the use of his song True Blue being played at similar rallies.
Under Australian law, political rally organisers need the permission of the copyright owners of any music played at their event.
