A far-right Australian senator has sparked outrage after saying the New Zealand mosque shootings “highlight growing fears” over an “increasing Muslim presence”.
Forty-nine people have been killed, with dozens wounded, after mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch. One of the attacks was live streamed on Facebook.
Immediately after the massacre on Friday, Fraser Anning, who has represented Queensland in the Australian Senate since 2017, said in a series of tweets: “Does anyone still dispute the link between Muslim immigration and violence?
“The real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets today is the immigration program that allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place.
“Today’s shootings in Christchurch highlight the growing fears within our community both in Australia and New Zealand over the increasing Muslim presence.”
Mr Anning, who has previously called for a “final solution” to immigration – language echoing that of Nazi Germany – added “today is not an excuse to forget the countless lives lost to Islamic terrorist attacks”.
Most of the tweets have since been deleted, but appeared in a separate statement in which Mr Anning condemned the shootings.
His comments on Twitter prompted thousands of outraged responses. Tom Coates said: “You mean on a day when a white nationalist kills Muslims the Muslims are to blame? You should lose your job for this statement. It’s appalling.”
Another user, named Maddy, said: “In the cesspit that is the far right, you reach new depths.
“I try to have empathy for everyone, but you've convinced me that you are entirely undeserving of love.”
Mark Reed added: “I’m really going to enjoy watching the electorate throw you in the bin when the time comes.”
