Queensland Labor MP Barry O’Rourke has walked back comments about tracking down online trolls at their houses, after admitting he used the electoral roll to pay voters who ridicule him on social media a visit.
The Member for Rockhampton made the controversial remarks during an interview with a local radio station 4RO on Monday, while discussing the topic of social media.
Mr O’Rourke took aim at “keyboard warriors” who make negative comments about him online, often anonymously, saying he would look up the trolls on Facebook and the electoral roll.
“So quite often people put those really negative yucky comments, and then I go to Facebook and I track down who they are,” Mr O’Rourke said in the radio interview.
“Then I see if they’re on the electoral roll and if they are… I love going around to visit.
“And you should see them, they turn into the most placid people and just so nice to your face.”
Mr O’Rourke described it as a “bit of karma”, but conceded it was “probably a little bit stupid” of him to do.
“But as I said I’m a fairly big fella,” he said.
In a 670-word statement on Facebook on Tuesday, Mr O’Rourke apologised for his choice of words during the interview, saying he “probably got a bit carried away in the radio chat”.
Mr O’Rourke defended his use of the electoral roll, and refuted any suggestions he has ever used “intimidation tactics” with voters.
“When I cop abuse on Facebook, I sometimes look up the abuser to see if they are a real local person or a generic bully hiding behind a fake account (there are a lot of these),” he said.
“When I see they are a real person, I will often make sure to include their home in the regular door knocking I have done around town over the past 7 years (I’ve door-knocked a huge chunk of our community over the years so this isn’t something I go out of my way to do).
“I don’t treat them any differently to their neighbours, I don’t mention their behaviour on Facebook, I just introduce myself and have a chat.”
The Labor MP said speaking with voters face-to-face gave them an opportunity to “raise their concerns in person, without the distorting influence of social media”.
“As for the use of the electoral roll, this is a publicly accessible document,” he said.
“Anyone can pop into the local Electoral Commission office and access it.
“In the old days you’d look up people in the telephone book and this isn’t much different.
“I am happy to defend myself for trying to take conversations offline rather than online.”
Doubling down on the context of his comments, Mr O’Rourke said the interview turned to the topic of social media when he detailed how he has received abuse in his role as a local MP.
He revealed his wife has also copped abuse by “strangers” at their home.
Mr O’Rourke noted social media had its benefits, but thought it “had a negative influence on us all”.
“So, once again, I apologise for my poor explanation of myself but I think this is actually an important and much bigger conversation for us to have as a community,” he added.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles threw support behind his Labor MP, explaining he regularly doorknocks Queenslanders in his role as Premier.
“It’s an entirely appropriate use of the electoral roll,” he said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“I would encourage my MPs whenever they receive feedback, positive or negative is to reach out to those members of the community and talk with them.
“That’s, I think, the responsible thing for an MP to do.”
Mr O’Rourke has represented the seat of Rockhampton for almost seven years since he was elected in October 2017.
He announced his pending retirement in November last year, saying he would not contest the seat at the state election in October this year.