Politicians have roundly condemned controversial Australian senator Fraser Anning for arguing Muslim immigration for the Christchurch mosque shooting.
The Independent Queensland senator released a statement on Friday, claiming the growing fear of the 'increasing Muslim presence' was behind the massacre - in which 49 worshippers were killed during Friday prayers.
Labor frontbencher Tony Burke told the ABC 'the normalisation of bigotry is something that is not only confined to him'.
'We need to call it out, we need to make sure that no way any member of parliament fosters it. He wants the conflict and he wants the notoriety,' he said on Saturday.
Senator Fraser Anning said the real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets on Friday is the immigration program that allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place
A man who identified himself as Brenton Tarrant (pictured) live-streamed the massacre of dozens of people in Christchurch, New Zealand
'He was put there as the result of being on the One Nation ticket. One Nation is the reason he is there.'
Prime Minister Scott Morrison also hit out at the independent senator's comments in a tweet on Friday.
'The remarks by Senator Fraser Anning blaming the murderous attacks by a violent, right-wing, extremist terrorist in New Zealand on immigration are disgusting. These views have no place in Australia, let alone in the Australian Parliament.'
Opposition leader Bill Shorten also voiced his anger at the comments.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison also hit out at the independent senator's comments in a tweet on Friday
Witnesses reported hearing 50 shots and police are responding to the incident at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch on the country's South Island
'While families in Christchurch mourn for loved ones they've lost, an obscure Australian senator saw this act of terrorism and tragedy as an opportunity to blame the murder victims,' he tweeted
Mehreen Faruqi, the first Muslim woman elected to federal parliament, named Senator Anning and Pauline Hanson as politicians who target Muslims.
'There is blood on the hands of politicians who incite hate. To me, there is a clear link between their politics of hate and this sickening, senseless violence in Christchurch,' she tweeted.
Senator for Queensland, William Fraser Anning (pictured) said on Friday while any form of violence can never be justified, immigration is the real reason for the shooting
Opposition leader Bill Shorten also voiced his anger at Senator Anning's comments
Senator Anning, who was kicked out of the Katter's Australian Party, sparked a deluge of negative reactions on Friday, with people immediately condemning him on social media.
'White supremacy (your ideology) killed these people. Shut the f*** up and have some respect,' one person wrote on Twitter.
'Resign. You do not deserve to stand representative of the Australian people,' another person said.
A third person added: 'You are an embarrassment to humanity'.
In a follow-up statement, Senator Anning said he opposed to any form of violence within our community and totally condemned the actions of the gunman.
'What it highlights is the growing fear within our community, both in Australia and New Zealand, of the increasing Muslim presence,' he said.
One of the gunmen is believed to have live-streamed the mass shooting inside the Al Noor Mosque, which happened at 1.30pm as Friday prayers were underway
At least one gunman has opened fire at a mosque in New Zealand , shooting at children and killing dozens of people
