Sacked Liberal stands by Muslim comments
Updated
Sacked: former Liberal candidate for Chifley David Barker. (Liberal Party)
The sacked Liberal party candidate, David Barker, says he stands by anti-Islamic comments he made about his opponent in the Sydney seat of Chifley.
He announced the Coalition's new candidate in Chifley will be 41-year-old small businesswoman Venus Priest.
Labor candidate Ed Husic describes himself as a non-practicing Muslim.
But Mr Barker has told the ABC there should not be a Muslim in Parliament and he has also taken a swipe at Prime Minister Julia Gillard's lack of faith.
"I'm not anti-Muslim. I believe every one should have their own beliefs," he said.
"But I don't know if we want at this stage in Australian politics a Muslim in the Parliament and an atheist running the Government."
Mr Abbott distanced himself from the actions of the sacked candidate.
"The point is that attacks on people based on their religion should have no place whatsoever in this election campaign," he said.
Mr Barker says he does not understand why the Liberal Party has disendorsed him.
"I made a comment that I believe God is the only way to Heaven and we shouldn't have a Muslim candidate running in that area," he said.
"I don't believe that's exactly in line with what we believe as Australians."
Mr Barker says he is a Christian but is not against Muslims.
"I'm not attacking them on the basis of their faith, I'm attacking them on the basis of their ideology," he said.
"As far as I'm concerned every Muslim in Parliament is a step towards a Muslim Parliament, but I'm not against Muslims."
The Coalition has announced its new candidate in Chifley will be 41-year-old small businesswoman Venus Priest.
Chifley is a very safe Labor seat in outer western Sydney seat.
It covers the suburbs of Rooty Hill, Doonside, Woodcroft, Dean Park, parts of Marayong and Blacktown, plus all the suburbs that make up the Mount Druitt housing commission estate.
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