A prominent federal Teal MP has sparked a barrage of online backlash after she was caught liking a controversial post about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Sydney-based Warringah independent MP Zali Steggall liked an Instagram post which stated that ‘violence is sometimes necessary’ on Thursday.
The former Winter Olympic medallist reacted to the post on the same day that Kirk, a conservative pro-Donald Trump activist in the US, was shot dead at a college campus in Utah.
At the time of his death, Mr Kirk was answering a question about mass shootings before he was struck by a high-calibre bullet.
Mr Kirk died in hospital a short time later. Tyler Robinson, 22, has since been taken into custody by police over the activist’s death.
The ‘tone-deaf’ post that Steggall liked was from Cheek Media co-founder and aspiring politician Hannah Ferguson, who shared her thoughts on the shooting through a series of questions.
‘Am I glad Charlie Kirk will no longer spread his extremist messaging? Yes,’ the progressive political influencer wrote.
‘Do I believe [Mr Kirk] empowered the violence that ended his life? Yes.
Teal MP Zali Steggall liked a controversial Instagram post regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Thursday
Mr Kirk, a US conservative activist, was assassinated at a college campus in Utah on Wednesday US time. He’s pictured shortly before he was shot.
‘Is violence sometimes necessary? Yes.’
Other questions included whether the shooting was an act of progress and ‘am I happy that someone shot him in the neck in broad daylight?’
Ms Ferguson’s response to both questions was ‘No’.
Steggall has copped online backlash over liking the post.
‘What a disgrace you are Zali Steggall. I wonder if you would still have that opinion if it was your family member. You are a disgrace to this country,’ one woman wrote.
Another added: ‘I no longer feel safe with Zali Steggall in our parliament.’
A third wrote: ‘If the violence was directed her way, her story would be totally different.’
Others called for Steggall’s sacking or resignation from parliament.
The Instagram post in question stated that political violence was ‘sometimes’ necessary
Ms Ferguson, who plans to run for the Senate at the next election has made a series of posts to social media criticising the coverage in the wake of Mr Kirk’s death.
‘I can understand those who argue we must not support the murder of someone who disagrees with us, but support and condemnation are not the only two choices available,’ her post was captioned.
‘Charlie Kirk was killed today in an act of gun violence his views permitted. In the world I will continue to advocate for, he’d still be alive.’
Mr Kirk founded Turning Point USA and was a close associate of President Trump.
Steggall has not publicly commented on the shooting.
However, she told Sky News on Friday that it was important to be respectful at this time and place around the world.’
‘I think in these political times, it’s really dangerous to use… inflammatory language,’ Steggall said on Friday.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Steggall and her media team for comment.
She is serving her third term in parliament, six years after she ousted former prime minister Tony Abbott from his seat on Sydney’s northern beaches.
