Anthony Mundine - Public Controversy

Public Controversy

In an interview in October 2001, Mundine said of the 11 September terrorist attacks, "They call it an act of terrorism, but if you can understand religion, and our way of life, it’s not about terrorism. It’s about fighting for God’s law, and America’s brought it upon themselves". Offering some insight into his tendency to make controversial comments in the media, Mundine stated that "If you want to toe the line, if you want to be some corporate guy and say the right things, do the right things, you might be okay in the media's eye, but it won't be real for me." Mundine later claimed he was taken out of context stating: “Those comments were just spun around like I was clapping my hands. I have a family too, I know what it is like to suffer the loss of someone close to me, and I would never wish that upon anyone. The point I was trying to get across was that it was in a war state of mind, and there is always going to be tit for tat, so why put yourself in a situation where you can endanger people. I have got nothing against any American, I have got nothing against any human being. It breaks my heart that people think I would even have that line of thought about being happy about people dying. That is crap and I want to clarify that because it is wrong.

In late 2012, the 37-year-old Mundine questioned Tasmanian Daniel Geale's, the WBA/IBF champion, Indigenous heritage, saying he should not wear the Aboriginal flag on his shorts. "I thought they wiped all the Aborigines from Tasmania out," "He's got a white woman, he's got white kids. I keep it real, all day every day." Mundine said. When asked whether Geale deserved to sport the Aboriginal flag on his trunks, Mundine responded: "No." Mundine later apologized personally to Geale, adding that he felt many people claimed indigenous heritage in order to receive government benefits but had no real connection with their Aboriginal roots. He also stated that the Australian anthem and Australian flag should be changed to be more inclusive of indigenous Australians.