Navy investigating 'racist' Facebook post

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is investigating allegations that one of its members made inappropriate comments about asylum seekers on social media.

The RAN member allegedly responded to a post about asylum seekers made on a friend's Facebook page.

The post read: "More Asylum boaties sank in a boat trying to get here to jump on Centrelink and get free government housing."

The sailor responded: "I'm about to head out today to deal with these f-----s."

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Navy member has since changed his employment status on social media.

Terrance Morrison, the Commanding Officer of HMAS Darwin, said that all personnel will be expected to follow the Navy's guidelines on social media use.

"Communication with our family is very important and we have strict guidelines to our personnel which we will be complying with," he said.

"I'll have a very strong communications plan with them to make sure that they understand them and they oblige by them."

The report comes amid claims that Navy personnel fired a warning shot to force asylum seekers return to Indonesia.

Immigration Minster Scott Morrison has rejected the allegations. 

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Author: Natasha Lee, Approving Editor: Martin Zavan