Union rejects official`s 9/11 comment

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has distanced itself from comments made by one
of its officials who says the September 11 terrorist attacks on America were an
"inside job".
MUA Victorian branch secretary and Victorian Trades Hall Council president Kevin
Bracken told ABC Radio the 2001 attacks were not properly understood.
"In my mind, the buildings were imploded," Mr Bracken said on Wednesday.
"Aviation fuel doesn't get hot enough to melt steel and no high rise steel frame
building before or after September 11 has ever collapsed due to fire."
MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin later on Wednesday distanced the union from the
comment, releasing a statement saying its position on the attack was "unambiguous".
"The 9/11 tragedy was a result of a terrorist attack by international terrorists who
claimed responsibility," he said.
"It is the MUA's position - one that I passionately support as national secretary -
that this attack is one of the greatest affronts and abuses of human and civil
rights in contemporary history."
Mr Crumlin said during the aftermath of the attack, the MUA gave its sympathies and
support to those affected by the tragedy.
"Any other view, by any member of the MUA, is an individual or personal view and not
that of the organisation," he said.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard also labelled Mr Bracken's comments "stupid and wrong"
when she was quizzed on his comments during parliamentary question time.
"Obviously, I don't agree with the remarks. Obviously, they are stupid," she said.