Australian senator not sorry for hitting boy or for Muslim remarks
Photo: Michael Masters/Getty Images
An Australian senator critcized by two prime ministers after striking a teenager who egged him and blaming Muslim immigration for the fatal Christchurch mosque attacks defiantly stands by his actions, Australian media report.
What he's saying: Sen. Fraser Anning held a wide-ranging press conference in Brisbane, Queensland, Monday afternoon local time in which he addressed the controversy head-on.
On the boy egger: "He got a slap across the face, which is what his mother should have given him long ago, because he's been misbehaving badly. When someone cracks you on the back of the head you react and defend yourself."
On a move to censure him in Parliament: "I hope it's not too painful."
On a petition to remove him from Parliament: "A million people from Australia — I am not sure they are all from Australia — but yes, a million have signed the petition. However, quite a lot of people have told us they're happy for me to stay where I'm at."