Peter Dutton defends Sonia Kruger’s right to ‘speak her mind’

IMMIGRATION Peter Dutton says hating on Sonia Kruger’s anti-immigration comments is just what terrorists would want.

IMMIGRATION Minister Peter Dutton has weighed in on the controversy around TV host Sonia Kruger, suggesting her haters play right into terrorists’ hands.

Mr Dutton was asked about the Nine personality’s call to halt Muslims immigration to Australia to tackle terrorism during an interview with 2GB radio’s Ray Hadley.

While Kruger’s comments, made on Nine’s Today show on Monday, have sparked a flurry of commentary from voices from all side of the argument, the voice of the politician responsible for the immigration portfolio has scarcely been heard.

Mr Dutton said he didn’t agree with Kruger’s argument, but supported her right to express an opinion warning terrorists would like people speaking their minds to be silenced.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has addressed the controversial call to ban Muslim immigration. Picture: Andrew Taylor/AAP

“I think we have to allow people freedom of speech, and one of the things that terrorists want in the western world is to give up elements of our democracy,” he said.

“One of the things the terrorists would love to see is people stopped from speaking their minds and not be able to express their point of view.

“Now I don’t agree with Sonia Kruger, I don’t think we should stop the migration program, I think that would be a bad outcome, but I defend her right to speak her mind.”

Mr Dutton was critical of “thought police” who scolded Kruger for having her say.

“We can’t have thought police out there saying this is OK, but we censor this element,” he said.

“If we don’t allow people to speak their minds, even if they’re incorrect in what they’re saying, I think we do give rise to a more extreme view of the discussion on both the left and right.”

Sonia Kruger has received a barrage of hate for her comments. Picture: John Grainger

Mr Dutton said it was important to be discerning when allowing people from other countries into Australia.

“If you see what’s happening in Europe, particularly most recently in Germany and France, we need to know the identity of every single person that’s coming across our border,” he said.

“Whether it’s by land or sea, in the modern age, it is completely incomprehensible that people could argue that you could allow people to cross your borders without knowing who they are and whether or not they pose a threat.”