Social media users hit out at former Labor minister after he claimed Indigenous people are 'producing children for the cash'

Home Top

Mystery of Connecticut businessman and his wife who went missing after losing everything: One home was foreclosed on and another sold since husband fell millions of dollars in debt
'Godzilla El Niño is heading towards California': Latest survey suggests mega-weather event could be biggest since records began and bring with it some epic rain
EXCLUSIVE: NFL murderer Aaron Hernandez's $1.3 million house and Hummer will be sold to pay compensation to mother of the friend he gunned down
Now ISIS makes rape part of its religious doctrine claiming that Koran 'condones and encourages' attacking women if they are not Muslims
Stylish NY apartment made famous by Devil Wears Prada goes on the market with designer price-tag of $23,000 a month
Your genes WON'T make you wealthy: Becoming rich is more about nurture than nature, study finds
Pennsylvania judge tosses murder conviction of man who spent 34 years in prison for rape and death of 15-year-old girl due to new DNA evidence
Sesame Street fans will have to pay for new episodes - or wait nine months - as show moves to HBO
The secret to a lasting marriage? Being happy for one another! Brain scans reveal how strong couples share each other's joy
That's one lecture they won't forget! Australian student is caught by his classmates watching PORN when he forgets to plug in his headphones (or is the joke on them?)
Christian baker who refused to make a gay wedding cake cannot use his religious beliefs as a defense, court rules
Father of PGA Tour player Billy Hurley III dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound
Mother, 21, is shot and killed in crossfire outside Boston nightclub after watching her musician boyfriend perform
How many uses can you think of for a PAPER CLIP? Scientists discover people with autism have 'fewer ideas but are more creative and think outside the box'
EXCLUSIVE: Tech company which maintained Hillary's secret server was sued for 'illegally accessing' database and 'stealing White House military advisers' phone numbers'
Revealed: Hillary's emails contained secret CIA intelligence and satellite info - as panic hits Democrats and campaign issues 4,000-word explanation of why she's innocent
Fox News chief threatened Trump with all-out feud amid Megyn Kelly flap and warned him: 'Resolve this now, or we can go to war'
'You're embarrassing the nation!' Sassy 13-year-old girl pens and performs caustic ballad slamming presidential candidate Donald Trump as a 'bully' and a 'chump'
Obama unveils his 6-book summer reading list that covers Nazis, racism and mass extinction (but how will he read them with all that golf?)
Clinton aide Huma Abedin STILL hasn't sworn under oath that she's turned over all her State Department emails
Genetic test proves President Harding DID father a love child with mistress who he would have sex with in a West Wing closet
'I was told what a girl is supposed to be': Miley Cyrus reveals playing Hannah Montana gave her body image issues
Federal investigation launched into death of unarmed teen who was shot dead by police in South Carolina while on first date with girlfriend
Smart people live longer: 95% of the link between intelligence and longevity 'is down to good genes'

Former Labor Minister Gary Johns is at the centre of a racial accusation
He said Aboriginal women are getting pregnant to claim welfare payments
The former politician has been slammed on social media after his remarks
Comment was aired on Channel 10's The Bolt Report on Sunday morning

Published: 08:33 EST, 12 July 2015 | Updated: 09:56 EST, 12 July 2015

View
comments

Former Labor government Minister Gary Johns has been slammed on social media after labelling Aboriginal women as 'cash cows' who are being impregnated in a bid to claim welfare benefits.

Appearing on Channel Ten's program The Bolt Report on Sunday morning, the former politician made the remarks during a discussion about the constitutional recognition of indigenous Australians.

'Look, a lot of poor women in this country, a large proportion of whom are Aboriginal, are used as cash cows, right?' he said.

'They are kept pregnant and producing children for the cash. Now, that has to stop.'

Scroll down for video

Gary Johns is at the centre of a racial accusation after saying Aboriginal women were 'cash cows' on Sunday

His remarks were made during a discussion about the constitutional recognition of indigenous Australians

Gary Johns claims Indigenous women being used as 'cash cows'

His comments were in response to statistics from Aboriginal Housing Victoria that revealed Aboriginal women were 34 times more likely to become the victim of domestic violence than non-indigenous women.

Mr Johns also called on Indigenous leader Noel Pearson to 'start thinking about fundamental issues that affect his people'.

Following the discussion, the former politician, who is no stranger to controversy, has triggered backlash on Twitter, with many describing his comments as 'disgraceful', 'offensive' and 'racist'.

No stranger to controversy - the former politician has triggered backlash on Twitter following his appearance

The former Labor government Minister appeared on Channel Ten's The Bolt Report on Sunday morning

Nakkiah Lui posted: 'As an Aboriginsl [sic] woman, I'd like say [sic] to Gary Johns "MOO" If Aboriginal women are cows, Gary is the farmer sending us to slaughter'.

Cristy Clark said: 'Who is Gary Johns and why is he such an offensive, racist so-and-so? His comments about Aboriginal women are disgraceful.'

Dr. Rock Hibernia wrote: 'Ah, and Gary Johns said something ghastly about indigenous women. Again. What a quality day in our public life.'

Twitter users have taken to the social media platform to describe his remarks as 'disgraceful and racist'

He is known for his controversial welfare remarks - Mr Johns previously said people on welfare payments should take contraception or lose their right to any benefits payments

Mark Dengate posted: 'Gary Johns talks udder bulls*** and his racist assessment of Indigenous women is disgusting.'

However Duke of Martin Place tweeted: 'I knew Gary Johns before he joined the dark side. Quite a nice guy but very lightweight. Don't know why anyone would worry about him.'

It's not the first time Mr Johns has sparked outrage about welfare. Last December, he said people on welfare payments should take contraception or lose their right to any benefits payments.

He told Daily Mail Australia at the time that the radical proposal would apply to anyone applying for unemployment payments (or other government assistance) and they must provide proof from a doctor of their contraception plan or forfeit access to the taxpayer money.