Fraser Anning booted from Katter’s Australia Party

BOB Katter has given controversial former One Nation senator Fraser Anning the boot from his party.

KATTER’S Australian Party senator Fraser Anning has been booted out of the party over what they describe as his appeals to racism.

Senator Anning, who left Pauline Hanson’s One Nation before joining Bob Katter’s party, has called for an end to Muslim migration and wants a return to a “European Christian” immigration program.

“We announce the termination of his endorsement by the KAP,” Mr Katter said, quoting a statement by party federal president Shane Paulger on Thursday. Mr Katter said the party’s decision had been unanimous.

Mr Paulger said in the statement the party’s immigration policy was clear - that persecuted minorities such as Christians, Jews and Sikhs should have priority when it comes to immigration to Australia from the Middle East and North Africa.

And that there should be no restrictions on entry from Pacific islanders. “But the party cannot and will not have any representative from our executive, members of parliament, senators or candidates dividing Australia along racial ‘Europeans’ and ‘non-Europeans’ divides,” Mr Paulger said.

Fraser Anning during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Gary Ramage

“In spite of the most severe and clear warnings, Senator Anning has continued down this pathway and consequently we announce the termination of his endorsement by the KAP.

“Clearly Fraser wants the freedom to pursue his crusade. And we think it is best for he and the party to give him this freedom.” Senator Anning entered parliament as a replacement for One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts, who was disqualified from parliament over dual citizenship. He made a chaotic start to his political career, with Pauline Hanson kicking him out of the party on his first day as a senator when he refused to step aside and allow Mr Roberts’ return.

After sitting as an independent in a loose alliance with other right-wing crossbenchers, he joined KAP in June.

The little-known senator made the headlines in August when his maiden speech was widely condemned as racist.

Katter's Australian Party Member for Kennedy Bob Katter at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, October 25, 2018. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Earlier, the maverick Queensland MP had two emergency meetings with his party over whether to kick out his one senator.

Senator Anning has been under fire for comments calling for an end to Muslim immigration.

“We’ve had two meetings, emergency meetings,” Mr Katter told Sky News on Thursday.

“The president of the party, he will make any statements that are to be made.” Senator

“We are the anti-racist party and we suddenly find there’s someone sort of... he’s 99 per cent gold, pure gold this bloke Anning, but the other one per cent ...,” Mr Katter said.

He said it was for other people to decide if Senator Anning is a racist.