“My reference to the red fog is the red shirts [scandal] … to blow up corruption. You’re asking me what I meant, and I know what I meant.
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Cumming did not respond when asked if the “pink haze” referred to a sniper’s death, but insisted he had not been inciting violence.
“I don’t have a gun license and I haven’t been in the army for a long time,” he said. “Doctors are not trained to blow things up.”
Cumming said he could have expressed himself better.
“Yes, I was passionate about the steps at Flinders Street station and I could have extended what I meant by red shirts and making sure this government wasn’t re-elected,” he said.
“I’m sure my opponents will turn it into something that suits their agenda.
“I’ve seen a lot of woke media complaining. The police were there on the steps of Flinders Street station – if I’d done anything wrong they would have arrested me.”
A former Maribyrnong city councillor, Cumming was elected in the West Metropolitan region in 2018 with Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, but became an independent soon after.
Catherine Cumming in 2012 when she was elected Mayor of Maribyrnong. Credit: Martina Gemmola
A Victoria Police spokesperson issued a statement after the comment was shared on social media.
“Police will investigate following a report of inflammatory behavior during a speech at a rally outside Flinders Street Station on November 19. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
In a statement later released by the Angry Victorians Party, Cumming said: “I can understand how some may have come to this interpretation, but I want to make it explicitly clear that I do not wish or call for any physical harm to Daniel Andrews.”
“He and his brigade of red shirts must be exploited in this election, at the polls.”
Angry Victorians Party founder Heston Russell addressed Cumming’s comments in a video posted to Instagram on Saturday afternoon.
“That’s the problem here in Victoria, that’s why we’re called the Angry Victorians Party – a lot of people are angry, a lot of people are emotional, but we definitely need to tone it down,” he said.
Liberal leader Matthew Guy condemned the remarks in the “strongest possible terms”.
“Statements and language like this have no place in our state or nation. Dr Cumming should immediately retract these remarks and issue an unreserved apology,” he said.
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