Fraser Anning uses Erdogan attack to back his views on Muslim immigration

As his ‘toxic bigotry’ was again condemned, Fraser Anning used attacks on Australians to back his widely-denounced views on Muslim immigration.

Protesters hold placards aloft as they march during the Stand Against Racism and Islamophobia: Fraser Anning Resign! rally on March 19. Today, Victorian parliament passed motions condemning Senator Anning and calling for his resignation. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

Far-right senator Fraser Anning has used Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s attacks on Australians to back his widely-denounced views on Muslim immigration.

Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten have both blasted President Erdogan for telling local election campaign audiences that he would send anti-Muslim Australians “back in coffins like their grandfathers (who fought at Gallipoli).”

Senator Anning said in a statement today that President Erdogan’s comments showed Islam and the West were “incompatible.”

“In an anti-Western rant, Erdogan has made threats against Australians and New Zealanders who would commemorate the memory of our Anzacs,” he said.

“If you had any doubt that Islam and the civilised World are incompatible this threat should clear that up for you.”

“These outrageous threats from the Islamist President of Turkey only vindicate my previous comments regarding the danger of Islam and further Muslim immigration.”

Senator Anning was been widely attacked for blaming the Muslim victims of the Christchurch far-right terror attacks for their own death last week. He later twice punched a 17 year-old protester.

He will face a bipartisan censure when the Senate sits again in April for the budget. Senator Anning has already been denounced for invoking the Final Solution in his maiden speech and his ties to neo-Nazis.

‘Toxic bigotry’

Victoria’s parliament today unanimously passed two motions condemning Senator Anning’s “toxic bigotry” in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack, AAP reports.

Premier Daniel Andrews led the charge with a condemnation motion which was widely supported in the lower house.

“I desire to move by leave, that this house condemns Senator Fraser Anning for his hateful, dangerous and divisive response to the Christchurch mosques terror attack,” Mr Andrews said as he proposed the move.

It was swiftly followed by Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien’s similar motion which called for Senator Anning’s resignation.

“I move this house, one, condemns Senator Fraser Anning for his contemptible, hate-filled response to the Christchurch terrorist attack and his attempt to divide our community on the basis of religion. (And) two, calls on Senator Anning to resign. And three, reaffirms Victoria as an inclusive and multicultural society,” Mr O’Brien said.

Mr Andrews said the uncommon agreement was due to the need to denounce, condemn and call out Senator Anning’s words and behaviour.

Fraser Anning used Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s attacks to back his widely-denounced views on Muslim immigration, Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

“We are as one when it comes to making a very clear point that there is no place for toxic bigotry in our civilised society,” he said.

“Nor is it acceptable to dress up hate speech as free speech.” Mr O’Brien echoed the sentiment.

It followed protesters taking to the streets of Melbourne yesterday, waving signs calling for Senator Anning’s sacking as they marched at a Stand Against Racism and Islamophobia: Fraser Anning Resign! rally in the city.

Victorian parliament’s firm stance came just two days after Senator Anning refused to back down from his widely reviled comments about the New Zealand mosque massacres. “Unfortunately, that sort of violence is already here, usually it’s being perpetrated by the Muslims attacking the infidels or Christians,” Senator Anning said on Monday.

with AAP

A sign calls for Senator Anning’s sacking at a protest in Melbourne. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty