Anning was sharply criticised for his comments about the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand , in which 51 Muslim worshippers were killed . He claimed that immigration of " Muslim fanatics " led to the attacks , and that " while Muslims may have been victims today , usually they are the perpetrators " . Anning also stated that the massacre " highlights ... the growing fear within our community ... of the increasing Muslim presence . " The comments received international attention and were overwhelmingly criticised as being insensitive and racist , and sympathetic to the views of the perpetrator . As of 18 March 2019 , a petition calling for his expulsion from the Australian parliament had amassed 1.2 million signatures , although the ability the for the Senate to expel a senator was removed with the passage of the '' Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 '' into law
Christchurch mosque shootings
Christchurch mosque shootings
Fraser Anning