THE Australian Embassy has blasted a racist advert looking for a bricklayer in Perth which includes the instruction that "no Irish" are wanted.

The ad on classifieds website Gumtree states: “Bricklayer needed ASAP. $250 a day, no part-time workers and NO IRISH” – in language reminiscent of the discrimination against the Irish in British cities in the 1950s.

A spokesman for the Embassy said: The Australian Government has no tolerance for racism and discrimination and this is reflected in a broad range of anti-discrimination legislation in Australia.

“The Government has an unwavering commitment to a multicultural Australia and greatly welcomes the contribution made by people of all backgrounds , regardless of origin, gender, or colour, to Australia's culture, society, and prosperity,” he added.

Simon, the man who placed the ad, defended the move today stating that he was sick of Irish people applying for jobs with no experience.

“I have no trouble with Irish people,” he told Independent.ie, but he would not disclose his full name or the name of the company he works for.

“But I’ve had to fire a number of people. I’ve had lots of Irish people say they have experience bricklaying but come over and have no clue how to lay bricks.

“I’m very busy and don’t have time to be watching over them.”

He added that he is well aware of the anti-discriminatory legislation in Australia.

The placement of the ad has drawn attention on the internet and twitter.

Many of the postings reflected shock at the ad.

“Australians like the Irish when they are good they're very very good and when they are bad they a horrid...,” said one tweet.

“Now that’s not very nice now, is it,” said another commentator.

Two years ago it was claimed that “No Irish need apply” signs were going up on building sites in Poland in a bid to take revenge on some unscrupulous builders who treated their staff badly.

The Australian Government has no tolerance for racism and discrimination and this is reflected in a broad range of anti-discrimination legislation in Australia. The Government has an unwavering commitment to a multicultural Australia and greatly welcomes the contribution made by people of all backgrounds , regardless of origin, gender, or colour, to Australia's culture, society, and prosperity.