Sonia Kruger has called for Australia to stop Muslim immigration because she wants to 'feel safe'.

During a fiery Today Show panel discussion Monday, the TV host argued there is a correlation between the number of Muslims in a country and the number of terrorist attacks.

'Personally, I would like to see it stop now for Australia because I want to feel safe as all of our citizens do when we go out to celebrate Australia Day,' the media personality said.

The television host said she had 'a lot of very good friends' who were Muslims and peace-loving, beautiful people. 'But there are fanatics.'

The remarks have sparked a social media firestorm but in response Kruger said 'it was vital to discuss these issues without automatically being labelled racist'.

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Passionate call: Sonia Kruger said Australia should close the borders to further Muslim immigrants

Kruger's Today Extra co-host David Campbell objected to her remarks - saying freedom of religion was important

She told the panel Japan has a population of 174 million people and 100,000 Muslims and the country never suffers terrorist attacks.

Her remarks drew a passionate response from the morning program's co-host David Campbell, who interrupted her as she began to talk about journalists being 'threatened' and freedom of speech.

Hands waving, Campbell replied: 'I'd like to see freedom of religion as well! As well as freedom of speech! They both go hand and hand!'

WHAT SONIA KRUGER SAID: TV HOST'S KEY QUOTES 'Personally I think Andrew Bolt has a point here that there is a correlation between the number of people who are Muslim in a country and the number of terrorist attacks. 'I have a lot of very good friends who are Muslim who are peace-loving, who are beautiful people. But there are fanatics...' 'Personally, I would like to see it stop now for Australia because I want to feel safe as all of our citizens do when we go out to celebrate Australia Day' Advertisement

'We're talking about immigration, David,' Kruger replied. She then asked if people were allowed to talk about the issue.

Campbell said the article they were talking about - written by conservative columnist Andrew Bolt in News Corp newspapers - 'breeds hate'.

'So you're not allowed to talk about it?' Kruger replied. 'You're not allowed to discuss it?'

'I would venture that if you spoke to the parents of those children killed in Nice then they would be of the same opinion.'

She argued 'good Muslim people' were dying as a result of terrorist acts, pointing out the first person to die in the Nice terror attacks last week was a Muslim woman.

When host Lisa Wilkinson asked her directly whether she wanted the borders totally closed to Muslim migrants, Kruger said: 'Yes, yes I would'.

When host Lisa Wilkinson pointed out Kruger's views were similar to the 'Donald Trump approach', she replied: 'Well perhaps it is. 'For the safety of the citizens here I think it's important'

Kruger is the host of Today Extra and is the face of music program The Voice

Wilkinson pointed out closing the borders to Muslims was the 'Donald Trump approach'. 'Well, perhaps it is,' Kruger said. 'For the safety of our citizens here I think it's important'.

The US presidential candidate has called for a 'complete shutdown' on Muslims entering the United States 'until our country's representatives can figure out what's going on'.

Kruger's remarks sparked fierce debate on social media, with viewers writing in criticism, praise and mockery.

And she responded to the criticism in a combative statement on Monday afternoon, writing: 'Following the atrocities last week in Nice where 10 children lost their lives, as a mother, I believe it's vital in a democratic society to be able to discuss these issues without automatically being labelled racist'.

Lisa Connor said it was 'refreshing to hear someone voice their honest opinion #concerned #notracist'.

Nic Ashman said: 'Whether you agree with Sonia Kruger or not on border control, appreciate she is only looking out for Australian safety and that took guts!'

Another user told Kruger: 'I can't believe you can make such racist and horrid remarks about immigration on national television. That is disgusting'.

Jonathan Brown said: 'Oh @SoniaKruger. Creating division is exactly what the extremists want. You've just handed them exactly the commentary they want'.

Added another: 'Wow, @SoniaKruger, you are a RACIST.'

Other viewers were just surprised by the debate altogether.

'Never thought I'd see @SoniaKruger and #DonaldTrump in the same sentence!' quipped Gerard Payne.

One Twitter user created a 'Strictly Ballroom' meme out of the TV star's remarks. Kruger first rose to fame playing Tina Sparkle in the 1992 film

Kruger is a media personality who first came to fame playing the role of Tina Sparkle in the 1992 Australian film, Strictly Ballroom.

She has worked as a dance teacher, a Seven Network entertainment reporter and long-time host of Dancing With The Stars.

In 2007, Seven apologised 'unreservedly' after Kruger made derogatory comments about a 'sweatshop full of immigrants' working on her Melbourne Cup dress.

'How's the family, Chong? All right?' she asked, referring to the Dancing program's musical director Chong Lim.

Most recently Kruger has worked for Nine as the host of hit series The Voice Australia and Today Extra, which was formerly known as Mornings.

Daily Mail Australia approached a Nine spokeswoman and Kruger for comment.