A politician's nativity scene featuring a black baby Jesus has been heavily criticised as "silly, stupid and offensive."
Lizzie Blandthorn, an Australian Labor MP, displayed a black doll as the infant Christ as part of a multicultural representation in her office's window. However she has received a number of complaints from local residents who claim the doll was "changing what Jesus was."
Blandthorn reacted strongly to the criticism and refused to remove the display.
"I'm disappointed that it has caused a bit of controversy," she told radio host Tony Jones on 3AW Mornings. "There was certainly nothing negative intended, it was meant to be a positive reflection of the Christmas nativity," she said.
"It's a choice that I made and I think it was meant to be a lovely reflection of the true spirit of Christmas and the real things we're meant to be celebrating at this time."
The Australian politcian from north Melbourne also hit back on social media and saying it reflected her constituency's diversity.
"'Representing Pascoe Vale's very multicultural community it seems entirely appropriate to have a multicultural presentation of the Nativity," she posted on Facebook.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and safe Christmas holiday season!"
The MP was forced to defend her display a local resident labelled the doll "silly, stupid and offensive."
"Many people, especially people of her [Ms Blandthorn] own faith, will find it very offensive," radio listener Francesca told 3AW Mornings.
"She really went outside the boundaries... At the end of the game, this is a mocking of the birth of Christ, the son of God and I think it's very offensive."
However not everyone was critical. Local resident, Wendy Odgers, said:
"I think its fantastic that you have the nativity scene in your office electorate window.
"Forget the whingers who complain at the colour of the doll. The colour is not important."
