Lyons Liberal candidate Jessica Whelan strenuously denies ‘Islamophobic’ online comments

The Liberal candidate for Tasmania’s federal seat of Lyons has denied making derogatory comments about Muslims online — and wants an investigation into Facebook posts bearing her name.

The Liberal candidate for Tasmania’s federal seat of Lyons has denied making derogatory comments about Muslims online — and wants an investigation into Facebook posts bearing her name.

The party tonight claimed the social media posts which appeared to have been made by Brighton councillor Jessica Whelan may have been digitally manipulated.

Labor has called for her to be sacked.

Ms Whelan was one of a number of federal candidates who came under fire for their online activities today.

Liberal candidate for Lyons Jessica Whelan on the campaign trail earlier this month. Picture: AAP IMAGE/MICK TSIKAS

The Mercury provided the Liberal Party with two comments purportedly made by Ms Whelan about Muslims on social media.

One said women who supported Islam should be mutilated and sold as slaves.

A spokesman said Ms Whelan denied making the post.

“The comment on the post about ‘feminists in America’ appears to be have been digitally manipulated,” he said.

“Ms Whelan strenuously denies making this comment. We will be referring it to the relevant authorities.”

Tasmanian Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Ms Whelan at a media conference on roads funding. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Another post attributed to Ms Whelan included a comment that they (Muslims) should not be allowed to live in Australia.

“Given that your profile states you went to College at “Never lose hope in ALLAH”.. I hope you’re bloody NOT on our housing waiting list. You shouldn’t even be in Australia if you believe in ALLAH!” the comment read.

Labor MP Julie Collins called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to sack Ms Whelan as his party’s candidate.

“This is a test of Scott Morrison’s leadership — he must sack his disgraced candidate for Lyons,” she said.

Ms Whelan (centre) with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Facebook.

“Her comments are Islamophobic. They must be condemned in the strongest possible language.

“The Liberal Party has been taken over by radical right-wing extremists.

“This is the sort of thing you would expect from Pauline Hanson not from the Tasmanian Liberal Party.

“Scott Morrison must immediately sack the candidate for Lyons for these abhorrent comments.”

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Ms Whelan is not the only candidate to have run into trouble in relation to online comments. Elsewhere:

Liberal candidate for Paterson Sachin Joshi was exposed for writing that women are to blame for the gender pay gap because they lack initiative and skill.

Liberal candidate for Wills Peter Killin, was reportedly to be dumped for endorsing an extraordinary homophobic attack on prominent backbencher Tim Wilson.

Jeremy Hearn was disendorsed as the Liberal candidate for Isaacs after a series of anti-Muslim comments emerged.

And Luke Creasey, Labor’s candidate in the seat of Melbourne, apologised for sharing rape jokes and pornography on his Facebook page.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said vetting candidates was a job for the Liberal party hierarchy.

“I expect the party administration to be doing their due diligence and where that’s been not up to standard, I expect them to meet those standards in the future and improve their processes,” he said.

“Look, in election campaigns, these individuals we identified, they’ve been identified in a number of parties and they need to be dealt with swiftly and appropriately and that’s the action we are taking.”