One Nation senator claims Waleed Aly condones terrorism
One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has been given a science lesson by NASA. Photo: The Project
One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has accused media commentator Waleed Aly of condoning Islamic terrorism.
In Wednesday night’s edition of the Channel Ten program The Project, Mr Roberts was invited on to discuss the recent Essential Research poll, which stated 49 per cent of Australians supported a ban on Muslim immigration.
Stand-in host Hamish Macdonald took aim at Mr Roberts over his party’s claim Australia was being “swamped by Muslims”.
He asked the senator to explain his party’s stance and how fast the numbers were increasing.
Mr Roberts said he didn’t know and that didn’t need to.
“What we need to focus on is whether Islam is an ideology or a religion and it’s quite clear in our mind that it is an ideology and it doesn’t fit with our culture,” he said.
Panel member and comedian Peter Helliar quizzed Senator Roberts further asking: “How far does it go?”
“Do we deport Muslims who are living here? Should the man who usually sits to my left, Waleed, be deported or relegated to breakfast TV in Syria? What are you suggesting?”
Mr Roberts responded targeting the absent host: “No, but it would be nice if Waleed actually condemned and didn’t condone Islamic terrorism, wouldn’t that be a good start?”
Watch the full interview below.
Clearly taken aback by the comment, hosts Carrie Bickmore and Mr Macdonald were defiant against the senator’s suggestion.
“Just for the record … I don’t think anyone needs to say anything, but quite clearly he does [condemn terrorism],” Macdonald said.
Senator Roberts later tweeted he hopes The Project’s panel remembers their manners next time he appears on the program.
Next time I appear on @theprojecttv hope they remember manners! They don’t like that their views are in minority https://t.co/psHL4E01D1
— Malcolm Roberts 🇦🇺 (@MRobertsQLD) September 21, 2016