Federal MP for Hughes Craig Kelly has apologised “if” offence or hurt was caused by his comments on the three Australian children who were killed on downed Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.
Mr Kelly said his comments had to be viewed in the context of what he was saying that it was better for the leaders of the US and Russia to be talking.
Speaking to the Leader, Mr Kelly denied his apology was conditional.
He stood by his comments, but said, “I agree I could have used better words”.
Mr Kelly apologised in several media interviews on Thursday after his comments to Sky News on Wednesday stunned other Coalitiion MPs.
Mr Kelly was asked on Wednesday about Anthony Maslin, the Perth father whose three children were killed on MH17, accusing US president Donald Trump of “kissing the arse” of Russian president Vladimir Putin at their summit on Monday.
The three children of Mr Maslin and his partner Rin Norris were Mo, 12, Evie, 10, and Otis, 8.
“I’m sure that any father that’s lost three kids would be absolutely devastated but the reality is nothing is going to bring those three kids back,” Mr Kelly said.
“So what is best for the continued future of the world? And it is best, in my opinion, that the leader of the USA and the leader of Russia at least have a good talking relationship.
“And if that means some of the things that Russia have gotten away with in the past have to be slightly looked over, well, I’m sorry, that’s the price that we have to pay sometimes to have good relations going forward.”
During one of several interview on Thursday, with ABC News Breakfast presenter Virginia Trioli, Mr Kelly reiterated his “full apology to anyone who has taken any offence or suffered any distress from my comments”, but added they had to be seen in context.
Ms Triloli: “Of course those comments caused offence. Would you like to apologise for the offence, with no ‘but’?”
Mr Kelly: “As I clearly said, I apologise for the offence that has been caused by my comments.but the context they were said in [was] there is an important need for world leaders to meet with each other…”
