Labor MP Anne Aly Received Death Threats After Peter Dutton's Comments About Lebanese-Muslims

Anne Aly, a Labor MP, has spoken out against the death threats she has received in light of Peter Dutton’s comments about immigration and Lebanese-Muslims.

As reported by the ABC, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton singled out the Lebanese-Muslim community earlier this week.

Mr Dutton suggested Australia’s former prime minister Malcolm Fraser “did make mistakes in bringing some people in," saying most people charged with terror-related offences are of Lebanese-Muslim background.

Dr Aly, a counter-terrorism expert and the first Muslim women to be elected to Parliament, has publicly denounced Mr Dutton’s comments. She called them “extremely disappointing” and fears they were spoken from a place of malice.

Her response has prompted death threats directed towards herself, and her family.

“I don’t worry about myself because in this place I am afforded the protections that not many people are afforded,” she said. “But these were death threats against my family.”

During a debate on equal rights, Dr Aly asked whether a right to free speech was worth more than her right to be protected. She told reporters about an email she had received, telling her she needs to go home and “take all her terrorist friends with her”.

The Labor MP is concerned that people of Arab, Muslim and Lebanese background (or just any migrant background) will be hurled similar comments on the streets.

The entire situation has prompted a fiery debate on how to balance freedom of speech with the right to feel protected. Dr Aly has taken issue with Coalition MPs who are pushing for reforms to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

“Am I a second-class citizen, that my right to feel protected is less than someone’s right to be a bigot?” she asked.

SBS reports the Australian Federal Police have launched an investigation into Dr Aly's Facebook page, which has been the target of violent threats and death wishes.

Student Edge had the chance to sit down and chat with Anne Aly herself, where she talked about her schooling experiences. In case you missed it, you can check it out here.

Photo: Facebook (@anneazzaaly)