Senator slammed for attending far-right rally

SYDNEY: An Australian senator faced criticism from across the political spectrum and possible censure, after it emerged that he used taxpayer cash to fly business class to a far-right rally.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Bill Shorten both condemned Senator Fraser Anning’s participation in the rally in the southern city of Melbourne on Saturday, a rare show of political unity.

Morrison yesterday accused the independent politician of “associating himself with extreme and offensive racist views.”

“He is a repeat offender on these issues,” Morrison said.

Anning once called for a “final solution” to Australian immigration.

An anti-immigration rally at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne drew hundreds of demonstrators – some of whom made Nazi salutes – and counter-demonstrators.

Anning initially defended the rally as the “start of something bigger,” but was forced to later defend his attendance.

Claiming he was 100m away from the neo-Nazi elements, Anning said he attended the rally in the interests of his constituents.

He denied the rally was racist, telling the Nine Network that: “There were decent Australian people who demonstrated their dislike for what the Australian government has done which has allowed these people to come into this country.” — AP