Muslim leaders, academics and activists are demanding the ABC apologise for airing senator Jacqui Lambie’s “racist, Islamophobic and crude” views on its Q&A program.
In a petition published on Change.Org, Muslim community members accused the ABC of breaching its own values in broadcasting the Tasmanian senator’s views, which they described as “racial abuse”.
Q&A: Lambie ignites fiery exchange
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie took on seemingly every other panellist during a heated discussion that ranged from childcare to sharia law. Vision: ABC TV
“Whilst you may view last night as an opportunity to boost ratings at the expense of fairness and respect to panelists, and members of minority communities, we view the bullying that occurred on last night’s TV show as a clear example of further deterrence for Muslim youth to engage in public platforms,” read the petition, which had attracted 715 supporters seven hours after it was published on Tuesday.
“We demand an apology from Q&A for its poor handling of the debate and for its failure to uphold its values of respect and integrity.”
On Monday night, Ms Lambie reiterated her support for an immigration ban on Muslims, saying she believed “anybody who supports Sharia law should be deported”.
When Muslim panelist Yassmin Abdel-Magied, who is an engineer and author, challenged Ms Lambie’s understanding of Sharia law, Ms Lambie responded: “So you can be a Sharia law supporter and be half-pregnant at the same time, C’mon”.
As the nasty confrontation escalated, an emotional Ms Abdel-Magied said: “My frustration is people talk about Islam without knowing anything about it and they’re willing to negate my rights … simply because they have an idea about what my faith is about.”
Ms Lambie then told Ms Abdel-Magied to “stop playing the victim, your ban got lifted, get over it”.
Panellist Yassmin Abdel-Magied, host Tony Jones and Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie on Q&A on Monday night. Photo: ABC
“There’s one law in this country and it is the Australian law … it is not Sharia law,” Ms Lambie said.
When presenter Tony Jones asked Ms Lambie if she understood that her views might be perceived as hateful, she said: “To a minority, well if that’s a minority, but this is for the majority, this is what the majority want”.
“So you can be a Sharia law supporter and be half-pregnant at the same time, C’mon,” Senator Lambie said. Photo: ABC
The petition said Ms Lambie’s comments were akin to bullying, as she used “undignifying, demeaning slurs that were personal attacks against Abdel-Magied and her integrity as a Muslim woman”.
It also pointed out there was a “power asymmetry” between the 25-year-old social commentator and the high-profile senator, and that Q&A had a responsibility to “guarantee a safe environment” for Muslims.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied is an engineer and author. Photo: ABC
“We wish to remind Q&A that Yassmin’s appearance in itself is brave as it puts her in danger of being a target to online fascists who are relentless in attacking public Muslim Australian figures, and particularly Muslim females.
“Lambie has the Parliament House, news outlets and press conferences as platforms to express her irresponsible and harmful views, whereas Muslim youth are largely underrepresented and their voice often absent from conversations about Muslims in this country.”
An ABC News spokeswoman said in a statement Q&A aims to provide “opposing viewpoints” that are “fast-paced and unpredictable”.
“Some viewpoints aired may challenge the audience some of the time, especially when controversial and emotive issues are being discussed, but Q&A never sets out to gratuitously offend,” the spokeswoman said.
“Obviously the ABC doesn’t manage or control what federal MPs say.”
