‘Stay out of Melbourne’: Greens MP Adam Bandt says PM, Dutton using ‘race to win votes’

Greens MP Adam Bandt says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should “stay out of Melbourne” accusing senior Liberals of “using fear and race” to win over Victorian voters.

Speaking on Sky News this afternoon, the Greens MP for Melbourne accused Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton of using race and fear to win votes”in a city he knows nothing about”.

It comes after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Neil Mitchell on Tuesday suggestions his government have provoked racism are “nonsense”.

“There is real concern about Sudanese gangs,” he told Neil.

“There is certainly concern about street crime in Melbourne, a concern about the state government’s failure to uphold the rule of law on the streets of Melbourne.”

Related: PM tells Neil Mitchell there is ‘real concern about Sudanese gangs’

But Mr Bandt has today hit out at the Coalition, saying crime rates are down in Victoria.

“I would say to the Prime Minister, if all you want to do is try and use race to win votes and whip up hatred, then stay out of Melbourne,” he said.

“You are not welcome in Melbourne, in a tolerant multicultural city, if you want to try and use race to win votes.”

Photo: AAP image