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Fraser Anning

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Senator
Fraser Anning
Senator for Queensland
Incumbent
Assumed office
10 November 2017
Preceded byMalcolm Roberts
Personal details
Born
William Fraser Anning

(1949-10-14) 14 October 1949 (age 75)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Political partyIndependent (until 1997; since 2018)
Other political
affiliations		One Nation (1997–2003; 2014–2018)
Katter's Australian (2018)
SpouseFiona Anning
Residence(s)Gladstone, Queensland, Australia
Alma materUniversity of Queensland, Gatton Campus
OccupationHotel owner
(Self-employed)
Sheep and Cattle farmer
(Self-employed)
ProfessionGrazier
Businessman
Politician
Military service
AllegianceCommonweath of Australia
Branch/serviceAustralian Army Reserve
Years of service1969–1973[1]
Unit49th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment

William Fraser Anning (born 14 October 1949) is an Australian politician who has been a Senator for Queensland since 10 November 2017[1] currently sitting as an independent. He was elected to the Senate after a special recount was triggered by the removal of One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts, who was found ineligible to be chosen as a senator due to his status as a dual citizen. He chose not to join One Nation in the Senate, sitting as an independent until June 2018 when he joined Katter's Australian Party as its first senator, before being expelled from the party in October 2018.[2]

Anning holds strong anti-immigration views[3][4][5] and has faced criticism for some of his remarks on Islam, including his use of the term "final solution" in his maiden speech and his comments criticising Islam following the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand.

Personal life and family history

Anning and his wife own a number of hotels and live in Gladstone. They have two daughters.[6]

Anning grew up in north-west Queensland on Wetherby Station, one of the Anning family's pastoral properties near the isolated town of Richmond. He is the great-grandson of Charles Cumming Stone Anning, a British pastoral squatter who came to the Australian colonies in the mid-19th century to acquire landholdings. Charles and several of his adult sons established the Reedy Springs property north of Hughenden in 1862, and soon expanded their claims by forming the nearby properties of Chudleigh Park, Mount Sturgeon, Charlotte Plains and Cargoon.[7] His family was involved in the frontier conflict as they forcibly took the land from the local Aboriginal people.[8][9] Frank Hann, another pastoralist in the region who regularly participated in extrajudicial punitive raids on Aboriginals, described in his diary in 1874 how he saw "Anning just come back from hunting blacks".[10]

Fraser Anning's grandfather Francis "Frank" Albert Anning spent much of his time at Reedy Springs but also bought into further properties such as Wollogorang, Savannah Station and Compton Downs. One of Frank's sons was W. H. (Harry) Anning who took up the Wetherby property[11] and whose wife gave birth to Fraser Anning in October 1949.[12]

Political career

In 1998, he stood as a One Nation candidate for the lower house division of Fairfax at that year's federal election.[13]

Anning was third on the One Nation senate ticket in Queensland at the 2016 federal election. He gained just 19 below-the-line first-preference votes under the optional preferential voting system.[14] Due to its high statewide count, One Nation elected two senators in Queensland at the 2016 election – party leader Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts. In October 2017, during the parliamentary eligibility crisis, the Court of Disputed Returns ruled Roberts was ineligible to be elected to the Senate due to his failure to renounce his British citizenship.[15] The following month, on 10 November, Anning was declared elected in place of Roberts following a special recount.[16] Prior to his elevation to the Senate, he was facing bankruptcy legal action due to money owed to the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. This could have made him ineligible to sit in parliament, but the case was withdrawn.[1]

Upon his swearing in to the Senate on 13 November 2017, Anning was vouched for (a parliamentary custom indicating that the new member is who he claims to be)[17] by two crossbenchers from other parties: Cory Bernardi (Australian Conservatives) and David Leyonhjelm (Liberal Democrats).[18] One Nation leader Pauline Hanson subsequently issued a media release saying that Anning had "abandoned" the party to sit as an independent "until something else comes along".[19] Anning responded that "she [Hanson] made my position pretty much untenable with her conditions."[20] On 16 November, it was reported that neither Anning nor Hanson had formally made their intentions clear to the Senate chamber regarding his party status, and he therefore remained a One Nation senator in the eyes of the Senate. It was also unclear whether Hanson intended to expel Anning solely from the parliamentary group or the wider organisational party as well.[21] On 15 January 2018, Anning advised the Senate President that he would henceforth sit as an independent.[22] On 5 February 2018, he formed a voting bloc with Bernardi and Leyonhjelm.[23]

He is a public opponent of same sex marriage, and was one of twelve senators who voted against the 2017 bill.[24] In 2017, when Cory Bernardi moved a motion opposing Medicare funding of gender-selective abortion, Anning was one of ten senators who voted for the motion, which was defeated with 36 votes against.[25][26] On 22 March 2018, Anning announced that he would support the Turnbull Government's proposed company tax cuts.[27][28]

On 4 June 2018, Anning joined Katter's Australian Party, becoming the party's first senator;[29] however, he was expelled in October 2018 for his inflammatory rhetoric concerning immigration, including his mention of a "final solution" to the problem.[30]

Anning introduced a private members' bill calling for less stringent import laws for mace, pepper spray and tasers, to "allow women to defend themselves". It was supported by David Leyonhjelm, Peter Georgiou, Cory Bernardi and Brian Burston, but rejected by both major parties and the Greens.[31]

In 2018, Anning described the perpetrators of attacks on South African farms as "subhuman"[32], also claiming that a state-orchestrated "genocide" was underway in South Africa.[33]

In January 2019, he began the process to register a new political party, called "Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party" with a registered abbreviation of "The Conservative Nationals."[34] The proposed name raised concern with the National Party of Australia (which has a registered abbreviation of "The Nationals") as being too close to the name of the existing party.[35] Several objections under Section 129 of the Electoral Act were received during the formal notification period between 11 January and 24 February[needs update].[36]

Maiden speech

On 14 August 2018, Anning delivered his maiden speech to the Senate. In it, he called for a plebiscite to reintroduce racial and religious discrimination in immigration policy, especially with regard to excluding Muslims. He criticised "cultural Marxism", "safe schools and gender fluidity garbage" and the abuse of the external affairs power of the Australian constitution. He also spoke in support of the right of civilians to own firearms, and the Bradfield Scheme irrigation proposal.[37]

His speech included a reference to a "final solution", the term used by the Nazi Party during preparation and execution of the Holocaust during World War II.[38] Anning has stated his comments were taken out of context, saying that he had used the phrase to introduce the last of six policies he proposed about immigration. His comments received condemnation from across parliament, including the Labor Party, the Liberals, the Nationals, the Greens, One Nation and the Centre Alliance, among other crossbenchers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He has refused to apologise for his comments.[39] Pauline Hanson said she was appalled by Anning's comments and described them as "straight from Goebbels' handbook".[40] However, Anning's party leader Bob Katter described it as "a magnificent speech, solid gold" and said he "1000 percent supports" Anning.[41] In October of the same year, Katter expelled Anning.[42]

Opinions on the Safe Schools Programme

Anning stated in a Senate speech that he believed the Safe Schools programme was "sexually deviant propaganda" and undermined "the white family".[43]

St. Kilda rally

On January 5, 2019, Anning attended a far-right rally in Melbourne,[44] led by Blair Cottrell, the neo-Nazi founder of the United Patriots Front.[45][46][47]

Christchurch terrorist shootings

Anning was criticised for his comments about the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand. He claimed that Muslim immigration led to the attacks, and that "while Muslims may have been victims today, usually they are the perpetrators".[48] Soon after, at a press conference, he assaulted a teenage boy who egged him. [49]

References

  1. ^ a b Remeikis, Amy (27 September 2017). "One Nation's next-in-line senator mired in legal proceedings since April 2016". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Doran, Matthew; Belot, Henry; Probyn, Andrew (25 October 2018). "Fraser Anning dumped from Katter's Australian Party for views on race, non-European migration". ABC News. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Quinn, Liam (15 March 2019). "Australian Senator Fraser Anning condemned for 'contemptible' comments on Christchurch terror attack". Fox News. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  4. ^ Noack, Rick (15 March 2019). "Right-wing Australian senator blames 'immigration' for New Zealand mosque attacks". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  5. ^ Morris, James (15 March 2019). "Fraser Anning sparks outrage over New Zealand shooting remarks: Far-right Australian senator links mosque massacre to 'growing fears of Muslim presence'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Fraser Anning: MP's full speech on Muslim immigration ban". news.com.au. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Anroud [sic] the Campfire". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Vol. LXIX. Queensland, Australia. 16 November 1949. p. 7. Retrieved 14 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ Loos, Noel (2017). Invasion and Resistance (2 ed.). Salisbury: Boolarong Press. pp. 44, 57.
  9. ^ Gray, Robert (1913). Reminiscences of India and North Queensland. London: Constable and Company. p. 198.
  10. ^ Babidge, Sally. "Family Affairs: an historical anthropology of state practice and Aboriginal agency in a rural town, North Queensland" (PDF). Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  11. ^ Stafford, Megan. "Qld cattle pioneer chronicled". North Queensland Register. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Family Notices". The Courier-mail. No. 4023. Queensland, Australia. 18 October 1949. p. 12. Retrieved 14 November 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Who is Fraser Anning: Queensland publican takes Malcolm Roberts' Senate spot". ABC News. 7 November 2017. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Gartrell, Adam (26 September 2017). "Fraser Anning got just 19 votes last year. He could be Australia's next senator". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Citizenship Seven: Here's how the High Court ruled on each of the cases". ABC News. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  16. ^ "Pauline Hanson supporter Fraser Anning to replace Malcolm Roberts in Queensland Senate spot". ABC News. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  17. ^ "{title}" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "{title}". Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Hanson says newest senator Fraser Anning has abandoned One Nation". ABC News. 13 November 2017. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Gartrell, Adam (13 November 2017). "'She made the decision': Inside the shock collapse of One Nation's Senate bloc". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Lewis, Rosie (16 November 2017). "Fraser Anning still sitting as a One Nation senator". The Australian. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  22. ^ "Senator confirms split with One Nation". sbs.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Cory Bernardi forms right-wing alliance with David Leyonhjelm and Fraser Anning". 9news.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Senate passes same-sex marriage bill". News.com.au. News Limited. 29 November 2017. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Australian Senate vote not passed, 16th Nov 2017, 12:15 PM". They Vote For You. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "From croissants to communism: Bernardi uses Senate motions to make ideological points". Abc.net.au. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "One Nation to back company tax cuts in exchange for funding for 1,000 apprentices". Abc.net.au. 22 March 2018. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "How a 'small army of Bradburys' could hand Turnbull a company tax cut". Abc.net.au. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "Former One Nation senator joins Katter's party, predicts messy end for Hanson's Senate bloc". ABC News. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original on 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Karp, Paul (25 October 2018). "Australian senator who called for 'final solution' to immigration expelled from party". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  31. ^ AAP (28 June 2018). "Leyonhjelm tells senator to 'stop shagging men' during women's safety debate". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Wilson, Jason (26 March 2018). "Fraser Anning claims that South African farmers are at risk of genocide". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  33. ^ Elton-Pym, James (26 March 2018). "White South African farmers facing 'genocide': Fraser Anning". sbs.com.au. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  34. ^ "Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party" (PDF). Notice of Application for Registration as a Political Party. Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  35. ^ Baird, Lucas (11 January 2019). "The Nationals Party express concern over new Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  36. ^ "Notices". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  37. ^ "Senate [Part 1] - 14/08/2018 11:54:59 – Parliament of Australia". parlview.aph.gov.au. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ Graham, Ben; Farr, Malcolm (15 August 2018). "'While all Muslims are not terrorists, certainly all terrorists these days are Muslims,' Senator Anning said". News.com.au. news.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ Fernando, Gavin (15 August 2018). "Why the term 'Final Solution' sparked such a fierce backlash". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "Fraser Anning speech 'straight from Goebbels' handbook', says Pauline Hanson". The Guardian Australia. 15 August 2018. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ "Bob Katter defends 'magnificent' Anning speech despite criticism". SBS News. 15 August 2018. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ Karp, Paul (25 October 2018). "Australian senator who called for 'final solution' to immigration expelled from party". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  43. ^ "Senator Fraser Anning Slammed For Homophobic Rant | QNews Magazine". QNews Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ Butt, Craig (5 September 2018). "Are Sudanese people over-represented in Victoria's crime statistics?". The Age. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  45. ^ Hinchcliffe, Joe (6 January 2019). "Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemns 'ugly racial protests' in St Kilda". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  46. ^ Smith, Rohan (6 January 2019). "Far right groups clash with anti-racism protesters on St Kilda's foreshore". news.com.au. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  47. ^ Smethurst, Annika; et al. (6 January 2019). "Fraser Anning slammed for attending St Kilda far-Right rally". Herald Sun. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  48. ^ Bedo, Stephanie (15 March 2019). "Politician lashes out at Muslims after Christchurch shootings: 'They are the perpetrators'". News.com.au. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  49. ^ https://junkee.com/fraser-anning-egged/198052
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