Federal election 2019: Ex-Liberal candidate Jessica Whelan says views changed since anti-Muslim posts

Updated

Former Liberal federal election candidate Jessica Whelan insists she has changed her views on Muslims since posting anti-Islamic and anti-migration comments on social media.

Key points: Jessica Whelan has admitted she posted anti-Muslim comments two years ago

Ms Whelan will now run for the seat of Lyons, north of Hobart, as an independent

She said she is "positive" she can still win the seat and has received thousands of messages of support

The Liberal Party accepted Ms Whelan's resignation on Friday morning after more allegations about her social media activity surfaced overnight.

Ms Whelan was on Thursday accused in Tasmania's Parliament of making several Islamophobic comments on Facebook, including a post about genital mutilation.

She denied responsibility for that post and said there were others being circulated she did not recognise.

"The vile post, I think we all know which one that is, that is not my post and anyone that knows me will know that that is not my post," she said.

"There's so many posts floating around. I don't even think I've been privy to the information relating to all of those posts, so I can't comment on all of them."

Ms Whelan on Friday told the ABC she "would have made some anti-Islamic" posts in 2017, including one on Tasmanian Opposition Leader Rebecca White's Facebook page.

"I am confirming that was my opinion at the time, but I was ill-informed and it is not my opinion now," she said.

"Back then one of the biggest issues we were dealing with in Government — and I wasn't in Government, I wasn't a Liberal Party member, I was simply just a person at home with an ill-informed opinion — one of the biggest issues being discussed was boat people and stopping the boats.

"I don't have an opinion on Muslims. We live in a multicultural society, I accept that. I accept the religious beliefs of everyone."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended the Liberal Party not dumping Ms Whelan when the allegations first emerged on Thursday.

Mr Morrison, while campaigning alongside Ms Whelan in Tasmania, said the matter would be referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The AFP has since confirmed it has been asked to investigate the social media post and the referral is being assessed.

Ms Whelan said she had no evidence that some of the posts had been digitally altered.

"I've contacted an IT specialist and a lawyer and we're going to work together to get to the bottom of it," she said.

"I know full well it's not my post. It is not the way I speak or would ever think of saying."

Whelan to 'absolutely' contest seat of Lyons

Ms Whelan was vying for the Labor-held seat of Lyons, north of Hobart, which has been considered within reach for the Coalition.

She will remain on ballots as the Liberal candidate because early voting is already underway.

She said she had no plans to join another party, and if elected would sit as an independent.

Ms Whelan said she would "absolutely" still contest the seat of Lyons.

"I am positive I can still win the seat of Lyons," she said.

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"The polls between myself and [Labor candidate] Brian Mitchell are very tight.

"My views aren't anti-immigrant. My message going forward, we need a strong economy so we can make record investments in health, education and infrastructure. But I wouldn't encourage an increase into immigration."

Ms Whelan, who earlier told the ABC she planned to actively campaign, including on social media, said she would now take time out to spend with her children.

"It's taken its toll on me — the death threats especially — it's taken its toll on me, it's taken its toll on my children and my partner," she said.

"How much effort I put into campaigning over the next two weeks, I can't determine today. I just need a break.

"What I do know [is] that despite all of the threats, I have thousands of messages of support. I have a lot of support."

The Liberal Party has already lost two candidates in Victoria this week for anti-Muslim and homophobic social media posts.

Topics: government-and-politics, elections, federal-elections, federal-government, liberals, political-parties, australia, tas, hobart-7000, launceston-7250

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