Queensland MP praises White Australian sprinter after Commonwealth Games silver

Federal Coalition MP Llew O’Brien used a Facebook post to celebrate Lachlan Kennedy’s silver-medal performance in the 100 metres at the Commonwealth Games, calling it encouraging to see a white Australian excel in a premier sprint event. O’Brien highlighted Kennedy’s 9.85 seconds, a new national record that edged him just two hundredths of a second from gold, and stressed his remark was not intended to diminish the historic dominance of Black sprinters.

He argued Australians of any heritage can take pride in such achievements. Opposition leader Angus Taylor downplayed the comment, stating he congratulates all Australian athletes regardless of background. Kennedy’s medal came behind Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, who set a Games record, and ahead of Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi. O’Brien, known for maverick moves within the Nationals, reaffirmed he remains with the party.