Victorian Minister Marlene Kairouz apologises for telling people not to open their door to the Irish

Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Marlene Kairouz

The Victorian Premier has defended a Minister who encouraged the public not to open their doors to the Irish to avoid being scammed.

Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz was launching an awareness campaign about dodgy tradesmen when she linked them to people who have Irish accents.

"If anybody knocks on your door that has an Irish accent, automatically ask them to leave," she said on Monday.

After a barrage of criticms, she apologised, admitting she delivered the message "poorly".

External Link: Marlene Kairouz MP tweets: Yesterday I made a comment at a scam awareness campaign launch that caused offence to people with Irish heritage 1/3

External Link: Marlene Kairouz MP tweets: Recent scammers have been backpackers from the UK & Ireland & I was giving this info to the public. I admit I delivered this msg poorly 2/3

External Link: Marlene Kairouz MP tweets: I sincerely apologise for causing offence and my poor choice of words 3/3

The comment, broadcast by Channel Nine, attracted international attention and was reported by UK outlets including the BBC, and Ireland's Independent.

Premier Daniel Andrews said Ms Kairouz "misspoke".

"I think it is fair to say that the Minister misspoke and didn't mean any offence, and has apologised accordingly," he said.

"And that would be, from my point of view, the end of the matter."

'Racism' sparks resignation calls

The Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce labelled the comment extremely disappointing.

The president, Fergal Coleman, said hard-working Irish-Australians deserved better than the negative stereotypes.

External Link: Nine News Melbourne tweet including video of the Minister's comments.

"I was astonished to hear the Minister's comments on Channel Nine regarding the Irish community," he said.

"I would expect more of a minister in a leadership position."

The Minister's Facebook page was peppered with emoji of Irish flags and clover by users who condemned her comment.

"As an Irish and Australian citizen, and Australian voter, I am extremely offended by your racist comments," wrote David Walsh.

"Not only have you offended Irish people, Irish descendants, you have offended the general Australian public by making racist comments as their public representative which have now been covered by the global [media]."

Others called for her resignation.

"Marlene Kairouz, do the right thing and resign for your racist comments — you're not fit to hold office," wrote one.

Twitter users also complained that Ms Kairouz did not front the media for her apology, and used the social media platform instead.

"You made those offensive remarks on TV so you should apologise on TV also," one user said.

"An apology on Twitter is NOT good enough," said another.

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