Fraser Anning
Fraser Anning | |
|---|---|
| Leader of Katter's Australian Party in the Senate | |
| Assumed office 4 June 2018 | |
| Leader | Bob Katter |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Senator for Queensland | |
| Assumed office 10 November 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Malcolm Roberts |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Fraser Anning 14 October 1949 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Political party | Katter's Australian (since 2018) |
| Other political affiliations | One Nation (1997–2003; 2014–2018) Independent (until 1997; 2018) |
| Spouse | Fiona Anning |
| Residence(s) | Gladstone, Queensland, Australia |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland, Gatton Campus |
| Occupation | Hotel owner (Self-employed) Sheep and Cattle farmer (Self-employed) |
| Profession | Grazier Businessman Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Commonweath of Australia |
| Branch/service | Australian Army Reserve |
| Years of service | 1969—1973 [1] |
| Rank |  Lieutenant |
| Unit | 49th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment |
William Fraser Anning (born 14 October 1949) is an Australian politician who has been a Senator for Queensland since 10 November 2017.[1] He was elected to the Senate after a special recount was triggered by the removal of One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts, who was found ineligible to be chosen as a senator due to his citizenship status.
According to a biography removed from the One Nation website, Anning grew up in north-west Queensland in a family of graziers. He and his wife own a number of hotels and live in Gladstone. In 1998, he stood as a One Nation candidate for the lower house division of Fairfax at that year's federal election.[2]
Prior to his appointment, Anning was facing bankruptcy legal action due to money owed to the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank which could have made him ineligible, but the case was withdrawn.[1]
Upon his swearing in to the Senate on 13 November 2017, Anning was vouched for by two crossbenchers from other parties: Cory Bernardi (Australian Conservatives) and David Leyonhjelm (Liberal Democrats). One Nation leader Pauline Hanson subsequently issued a media release saying that Anning had "abandoned" the party to sit as an independent "until something else comes along".[3] Anning responded that "she [Hanson] made my position pretty much untenable with her conditions."[4] On 16 November, it was reported that neither Anning or Hanson had formally made their intentions clear to the Senate chamber regarding his party status, and therefore remained a One Nation senator in the eyes of the Senate. It was also unclear whether Hanson intended to expel Anning solely from the parliamentary group or the wider organisational party as well.[5] On 15 January 2018, Anning advised the Senate President that he would henceforth sit as an independent.[6] On 5 February 2018, he formed a voting bloc with Bernardi and Leyonhjelm.[7]
He is a public opponent of same sex marriage, and was one of twelve senators who voted against the 2017 bill.[8] In 2017, when Cory Bernardi moved a motion to ban abortion on gender grounds, Anning was one of ten MPs who voted for the motion, which was defeated with 36 votes against.[9][10] On 22 March 2018, Anning announced that he would support the Turnbull Government's proposed company tax cuts.[11][12]
On June 4, 2018, Anning joined Katter's Australian Party, becoming the party's first senator.[13]
Anning put forth a private members' bill calling for less stringent import laws for mace, pepper spray and tasers, to allow women to defend themselves. It was supported by David Leyonhjelm, Anning himself, Peter Georgiou, Cory Bernardi and Brian Burston, but rejected by both major parties and the Greens.[14]
On August 14, 2018, Anning delivered his maiden speech to the Senate in what was described as "the most inflammatory maiden speech to an Australian Parliament since One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's in 1996."[15] In it, he called for a plebiscite to reinstate racial discrimination in immigration policy, especially with regard to Muslims. He criticised "cultural Marxism", "safe schools and gender fluidity garbage" and the "abuse" of the external affairs power of the Australian constitution. He also spoke in support of the right to bear arms, and the Bradfield Scheme.[16]
References
- ^ a b Remeikis, Amy (27 September 2017). "One Nation's next-in-line senator mired in legal proceedings since April 2016". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Who is Fraser Anning: Queensland publican takes Malcolm Roberts' Senate spot". ABC News. 7 November 2017. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Hanson says newest senator Fraser Anning has abandoned One Nation". ABC News. 13 November 2017. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Gartrell, Adam (13 November 2017). "'She made the decision': Inside the shock collapse of One Nation's Senate bloc". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Lewis, Rosie (16 November 2017). "Fraser Anning still sitting as a One Nation senator". The Australian. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Senator confirms split with One Nation". sbs.com.au. Archived from the original on 2018-01-15.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Cory Bernardi forms right-wing alliance with David Leyonhjelm and Fraser Anning". 9news.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Senate passes same-sex marriage bill". News.com.au. News Limited. 29 November 2017. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Australian Senate vote not passed, 16th Nov 2017, 12:15 PM". They Vote For You. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "From croissants to communism: Bernardi uses Senate motions to make ideological points". Abc.net.au. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "One Nation to back company tax cuts in exchange for funding for 1,000 apprentices". Abc.net.au. 22 March 2018. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "How a 'small army of Bradburys' could hand Turnbull a company tax cut". Abc.net.au. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Former One Nation senator joins Katter's party, predicts messy end for Hanson's Senate bloc". ABC News. 2018-06-04. Archived from the original on 2018-06-04. Retrieved 2018-06-04.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ AAP (28 June 2018). "Leyonhjelm tells senator to 'stop shagging men' during women's safety debate". the Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
- ^ Koziol, Michael (2018-08-14). "Senator honours White Australia Policy in first speech and calls for 'final solution' on immigration". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
- ^ "Senate [Part 1] - 14/08/2018 11:54:59 – Parliament of Australia". parlview.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-08-14.