LONDON: An Australia senator has sparked fury for blaming “Muslim immigration” for the terrorist attack that killed 49 people in mosques in New Zealand.
The attacks, which involved a white supremacist gunman, drew global condemnation. But Fraser Anning, a senator from Queensland, tweeted “Does anyone still dispute the link between Muslim immigration and violence?”
A day after his controversial statements, Anning was egged by a teenager midway through a press conference in Melbourne, where the senator was caught on video assaulting the boy in response.
The 17-year-old boy was tackled to the ground by a group of men after the incident and arrested by the police, but was later released without charges, according to local media.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison took to Twitter on Friday to express his “disgust” of Anning's remarks, adding “those views have no place in Australia, let alone the Australian Parliament.”
In another statement he said: “As always, leftwing politicians and the media will rush to claim that the causes of today’s shootings lie with gun laws or those who hold nationalist views, but this is all clichéd nonsense.
“The real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand’s streets today is the immigration program, which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place.”
His statement was immediately condemned both in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison described his comments as “disgusting.”
“Those views have no place in Australia, let alone the Australian parliament.”
UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid accused the senator of stoking extremism.
“At a time for grieving and reflection, this Australian senator … fans the flames of violence and extremism.
“Australians will be utterly ashamed of this racist man. In no way does he represent our Australian friends,” Javid added.
Anning caused widespread offense last year when he used the term “final solution” in calling for a revival of a “White Australia” restrictive immigration policy.