Lambie calls for Sharia Law supporters to be deported

A migration debate saw the host step in as a yelling match erupted between Jacqui Lambie and a Muslim youth leader.

A slanging match between independent senator Jacqui Lambie and engineer and author Yasmin Abdel-Magied erupted on live television after the key crossbencher said the young social commentator was “playing the victim” when talking about possible immigration restrictions for Muslims.

• COMMENT: John Lyons on why this was another low point in Islam debate

On immigration restrictions

Ms Abdel-Magied, an engineer and author who was born in Sudan, was a panellist on Monday’s Q&A program, and was discussing the proposed immigration restrictions announced by US President Donald Trump, when a feisty argument erupted with Ms Lambie.

“Anyone who supports Sharia law in this country should be deported,” declared Ms Lambie, who has previously said she would support a Muslim immigration ban in Australia and last week introduced a private senators’ bill which would ban the burqa in public places and commonwealth jurisdictions.

“I have said it in the past, I said I would rather look after our own backyard first,” she told the panel. “Somehow when we have one-third of our aged pensioners living on or below the poverty line something means to be done. If that means we need to put a hold or ban on that for two years to make sure those people in our own backyard get what is needed, so be it.”

The Independent Tasmanian Senator called for Australia to deport all Sharia Law supporters. Picture: Supplied

Ms Abdel-Magied retorted: “So, do you know what Sharia law is? Do you know what it is?... You are talking about stuff you don’t know anything about.”

“My frustration is that people talk about Islam without knowing anything about it,” continued Ms Abdel-Magied. “And they’re willing to completely negate any of my rights as a human being, a woman, as a person with agency simply because they have an idea about what my face is about.”

Is it time to define new rules so that migration doesn't disturb the peace? @JacquiLambie & @yassmin_a disagree vehemently #QandA pic.twitter.com/nRXyj3p2hG

— ABC Q&A (@QandA) February 13, 2017

Ms Lambie bit back, saying there she believes there is “one law in this country and it is the Australian law... it is not Sharia Law, not in this country. Not in my day.”

“You don’t know anything about my religion!” retorted Ms Abdel-Magied. “That is not my religion.”

The escalating argument forced host Tony Jones to step in as referee, telling the pair: “Shouting at each other is not going to help. So please stop.”

Ms Abdel-Magied then said she believed rhetoric used by President Trump and Ms Lambie was frightening and reminiscent of pre-WWII language, to which Ms Lambie shouted: “Stop playing the victim.”

“We’ve had enough...Stop playing the victim. Your ban got lifted. Get over it,” she said, a comment which drew boos from the audience.

On welfare

Throughout the program, the colourful former Palmer United Party senator also took aim at the government’s welfare saving changes, revealed last week, and slammed One Nation for forgetting the “less fortunate”.

“I can tell what they can do it with their omnibus, stick it where it fits. This is cheeky, they’re never going to get it through,” she said. “Apparently One Nation will be voting for it which bothers me because they’re supposed to be for those less fortunate. Well - that’s starting to unravel for them very quickly. They’re not there for the underdog I can tell you now.”

She told the program she would never consider joining Pauline Hanson’s party, despite its rapidly rising popularity and similarity in many policy areas.

“I was a part of a bigger power entity once before that. Didn’t work too well for me,” she said with a laugh. “You know, you’ve got to be able to sustain that power and that resilience and that resistance and quite frankly I don’t think One Nation has it.”