Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie says she won't be intimidated after receiving a threat to behead her in a letter that claims to be from Islamic State supporters.
The letter, which includes gruesome pictures, threatens Senator Lambie with death unless she supports the imposition of Sharia law in Australia.
It also makes repeated references to plans for a new mosque in Adelaide and is signed off by the "Adelaide Islamic State Mujahideen".
Senator Lambie's office, which received the letter on Friday, says it could be a fake threat produced by opponents of the proposed mosque to inflame community tensions.
But the senator says she won't be discouraged from speaking out.
"Obviously someone is trying to intimidate and scare me. I will not be intimidated or scared," Senator Lambie said on Sunday.
"I will not allow anyone to hold the Parliament of Australia in contempt by interfering with the free and fair performance of an Australian senator.
"I will continue to speak out about the threat that supporters of Islamic State and Sharia law pose to the Australian democratic culture and people."
Senator Lambie said she would continue to advocate for a ban on Sharia law and on "unnecessary face coverings in public", and for the reintroduction of the death penalty for home-grown terrorists.
A photograph of the threatening letter was distributed to media alongside Senator Lambie's statement.
The letter has been referred to Australian Federal Police and Tasmania Police, while a new threat assessment is being undertaken for Senator Lambie's office.
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