‘Back where he came from’: Australia rejoices as Fraser Anning booted from Senate

He was Australia’s most controversial politician, but Fraser Anning has been booted from the Senate and Australians are rejoicing.

Bye, Fraser.

Australians are this morning celebrating after controversial Queensland politician Fraser Anning was booted from the Senate.

The ABC’s authority on vote counting, Antony Green, made the announcement last night, fittingly declaring “Fraser Anning goes back to where he came from”.

Anning attracted only 19 votes in the last election — the second fewest out of 126 Queensland candidates — but still managed to secure a Senate seat when One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts was ruled ineligible on citizenship grounds.

There will no such miracles this time around.

"Fraser Anning goes back to where he came from... he won't be in the Parliament," says Antony Green

— Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb) May 18, 2019

The news that Anning failed to secure the votes required has been heard around the world.

The UK’s Independent newspaper reported on the result early, leading with the headline: “Right-wing Australian politician who blamed Muslims for Christchurch mosque attack loses seat.”

So too did NBC News in the US, reminding readers that Anning was the target of a teen with an egg in March.

The 69-year-old’s time in the Senate was littered with controversies. He said immediately after 50 Muslims were murdered during Friday prayers in two New Zealand mosques that the “real cause of bloodshed … is the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place”.

He used taxpayer funds to fly around the country and meet with supporters, including convicted far-right criminals Blair Cottrell and Neil Erikson.

Senator Fraser Anning is out. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Fraser Anning was egged by teen Will Connolly.

He stood side-by-side with Australians at a racist rally at Melbourne’s St Kilda beach where some performed the Nazi salute at counter-protesters.

He used his maiden speech in the upper house to call for a return to a “European Christian” immigration system and was roundly condemned for invoking the term “final solution” when addressing a perceived “immigration problem”.

He shared an image of a grieving family whose 19-month-old daughter went missing alongside the words “If you want a Muslim for a neighbour, just vote Labor.”

Social media has, as expected, revelled in the news that Anning will no longer have the platform to share his views.

“Feels like Christmas … Fraser Anning out,” Yasmin Sethi wrote.

“Disappointed with the election outcome — however we can all be thankful that the worst of the worst are gone, particularly Fraser Anning,” Nicolas Hart wrote.”

“You are sacked,” John Fraser wrote.

Some good news from the Aussie elections back home: Fraser Anning, the extreme right white nationalist who blamed Muslims for the Christchurch Attack because they had the audacity to immigrate to NZ, just lost his Senate seat.

— David Mack (@davidmackau) May 18, 2019

pic.twitter.com/ObZM7qpkAZ

— Duke Rogers (@Melbournalien) May 18, 2019

Australia’s most celebrated wheelchair athlete Kurt Fearnley predicted the result, tweeting on Friday that “tomorrow the country gets to rid itself of the stain that Fraser Anning was on our Parliament and country”.

The teen who egged Anning, Will Connolly, made an appearance last night at Labor’s election party, but media were prevented from speaking to him.

Clive Palmer looks like missing out too, despite spending an astonishing $80 million on advertising in the lead up to Saturday’s vote.

Chris Uhlmann said on last night’s coverage that it was one of the “best things” to come out of this election.

"Clive spent $80 million and got a donut, a big fat zero, and that's one of the best things to come out of this election tonight because you shouldn't be able to buy your way to power" - @Cuhlmann on @Clivefpalmer. #9News #ausvotes pic.twitter.com/8H6ipT9lnZ

— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) May 18, 2019

Derryn Hinch is also likely to lose his Senate seat, but Jacqui Lambie is returning. She had a stern warning for Scott Morrison straight out the gate.

"But you know what? Drop the attitude!" - @JacquiLambie has a message for @ScottMorrisonMP tonight #ausvotes: pic.twitter.com/6t88J3e48w

— ABC Hobart (@abchobart) May 18, 2019

More to come.