Pauline Hanson has capitalised on the death yesterday of an English backpacker in Queensland in a bid to fuel her argument against Muslim immigration.
The tragedy that saw 21-year-old British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung brutally stabbed to death has been used as a political spring board for the new Queensland Senator.
The attack, allegedly by 29-year-old Frenchman Smail Ayad, was initially cast as being religiously motivated because witnesses say they heard Ayad scream “Allahu akbar” while attacking the young woman.
It has since emerged that Ayad was infatuated with Ayliffe-Chung and had followed her around for eight days
But that didn't stop Ms Hanson from blaming the death on Islamic extremism, reports Channel Nine .
"The attack in Home Hill, south of Townsville on Tuesday night could well be the first Islamic terrorist attack in Queensland and I want some answers," she said.
Senator Hanson believes police have downplayed the possible links to Islamic extremism.
"I'm not going to be silenced on yet another attack involving Islamic extremism - especially one occurring in the state I am representing in the Senate," she said.
"Australians know what the problem is. It's time this government wakes up and starts looking after Australians' welfare before those from other countries."
Shelley's Backpackers manager John Norris told Channel Nine that Ayad had demonstrated no signs of extremism but had become infatuated with the 21-year-old.
"It just wasn't him ...A lot of the news is trying to put him as an Islamic extremist. As far as I'm concerned he was never like that," he said.
Quicky News Headlines: Thursday April 25th 2024
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If, knowing diddly, is wrong, I don't wanna do squat'-;#SaidNoRedneckNever
You'd almost think she was the killer by the tone of the article.