KEY POINTS:
- Donald Trump Jr has blamed the government for the cancellation of his Australian speaking tour.
- Two ministers say the cancellation was because of a lack of ticket sales, not a visa issue.
- Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has labelled the former US president's son a 'big baby'.
A senior minister has labelled Donald Trump's son a "big baby" and "sore loser" after he blamed the government for the postponement of his Australian speaking tour.
In the now-deleted comments on Twitter, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said Donald Trump Jr had been given a visa to come to Australia but scrapped the plan over "poor ticket sales".
eldest son had been scheduled to speak in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane between 9 and 11 July as part of a Trump Live tour.
But on Wednesday the organisers, right-wing activist group Turning Point Australia, claimed in a statement it had been forced to postpone the tour due to the visa delay.
Home Affairs Clare O’Neil has labelled Donald Trump Jr a 'big baby' and 'sore loser'. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
But taking to Twitter on Thursday, O'Neil suggested the cancellation was due to Trump's lack of popularity in Australia.
"Geez, Donald Trump Jr is a bit of a sore loser. His dad lost an election fair and square - but he says it was stolen. Now he’s trying to blame the Australian Government for his poor ticket sales and cancelled tour," she wrote.
"Donald Trump Jr has been given a visa to come to Australia. He didn’t get cancelled. He’s just a big baby, who isn't very popular."
The now-deleted tweet from Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil. Source: Twitter
She has since deleted the posts.
Coalition home affairs spokesperson James Paterson warned O'Neil's tweets could jeopardise the AUKUS pact, which he described as Australia's primary national security priority, if Trump Sr's bid to reclaim the White House is successful.
“Like it or not, Trump could be elected president again,” he said.
"Juvenile tweets like these just put the whole relationship at risk. Whether Donald Trump is president or any other Republican, none of them are going to look very kindly on a minister who's been attacking them publicly on Twitter when they didn't need to."
Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson warned the 'juvenile' Tweet could have ramifications if Trump Sr reclaims the White House. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Giles said he was breaking his normal practice of not commenting on individual cases because of media reporting and statements made by Trump’s supporters.
"Any issue that Mr Trump has or his promoters have that go to the postponement of the tour is a matter entirely for them," he said on Thursday.
"It may of course be that the reason for the postponement goes to the lack of enthusiasm for ticket sales, rather than any of the issues that have been raised today."
Indigenous Australians Minister at the National Press Club on Wednesday, repeating similar comments she made last month.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not directly answer questions over whether Labor’s rhetoric could harm US-Australia relations if Trump Sr wins the presidency.
“I'll tell you the elections that I'm focused on: I'm focused on an election that I'll be involved in some time in 2025,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“Australia has an interest in a bit of continuity in our democratic processes.”
Organisers dispute lack of ticket sales claim
The organisers said 8,000 tickets had already been sold across the three states, with all VIP tickets priced as high as $2,500 selling out in the first week of the tour announcement.
"Ticket holders are urged to hold on to their tickets, with details of the rescheduled date to be confirmed in the coming days," Turning Point Australia said in a post to the tour website.
The website said Trump Jr's "fearlessly outspoken, anti-politically correct stance has captured the imagination of conservatives from around the world".
South Australian Liberal Senator Alex Antic, who was set to MC the speaking tour, was quoted in the tour organisers' statement saying he was disappointed but not surprised by the tour postponement.
"I'm looking forward to the show getting new dates. Aussies want to hear from conservative warriors like these guys," he said.
* Additional reporting from AAP.
