Senator Anning says he’s keen for more right-wing rallies

Senator Fraser Anning plans to represent Queensland at more right-wing extremists rallies.

Senator Anning says he's keen to attend more far-right rallies.

Senator Anning says he's keen to attend more far-right rallies. Source: AAP

Senator Fraser Anning says he's prepared to travel to more right-wing rallies on behalf of Queensland.

Both sides of politics have robustly criticised the independent senator's presence at an extremists rally in Melbourne on Saturday, which was attended by people making Nazi gestures.

But the accidental senator says he was representing "decent" Australians and intends attending similar rallies in the lead up to the federal election.
Senator Fraser Anning says he's prepared to travel to more right-wing rallies on behalf of Queensland.
Senator Fraser Anning says he's prepared to travel to more right-wing rallies on behalf of Queensland. Source: AAP
"Sure, why not ... I'll go to rallies if I think it's important for the Queensland people, absolutely," he told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Senator Anning again said he had no intention of repaying $2852.80 he spent on flights to get to the St Kilda rally, which he claimed was about "Sudanese gangs" being out of hand.
Ugly scenes at the St Kilda foreshore in Melbourne as far-right groups face off with anti-racism groups. Large group of police watch on.
Ugly scenes at the St Kilda foreshore in Melbourne as far-right groups face off with anti-racism groups. Large group of police watch on. Source: AAP
Blair Cottrell speak during a recent right-wing rally in Melbourne.
Far right wing activists Neil Erikson (yellow shirt) and Blair Cottrell speak during the Melbourne rally. Source: AAP
"It was legitimate business as far as I am concerned. I don't go down there for a party or a picnic," he said.

The senator also defended his family travel costs, after it emerged he had claimed $19,000 from July to September 2018.

"My wife is a volunteer with my office, so she travels to me to Canberra and other places ... it's within parliamentary guidelines," he said.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world