Linking backpacker stabbing to extremism 'opportunistic' says police minister
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Version 0 of 1. Queensland’s police minister Bill Byrne has called for an end to “opportunistic commentary” on extremism following the fatal stabbing of a British backpacker in the state’s north. Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, was stabbed at Shelly’s Backpackers in Home Hill, southeast of Townsville, on Tuesday night, allegedly by French national Smail Ayad. Ayad has been charged with her murder. Byrne said there was no immediate evidence to suggest extremism as a motive for the attack. As police continued to interview 30 witnesses who saw the shocking attack, federal politicians began to link the incident to a debate on immigration. One Nation senator Pauline Hanson used the tragedy to reissue calls for a moratorium on Muslim immigration. “I’m not going to be silenced on yet another attack involving Islamic extremism – especially one occurring in the state I am representing in the Senate,” she said. The Nationals MP George Christensen and independent Bob Katter have also called for a ban on Middle Eastern and north African migrants. While not referring to any politician specifically, Byrne said some of the commentary from “predictable sources” was highly speculative and unhelpful. “There’ll be those that seek to exploit this incident,” he said. “What is required here is cool, calm and thoughtful consideration.” Byrne urged commentators to consider the ongoing investigation before making statements in public. “It’s really opportunistic, in some ways, to make commentary on this set of circumstances,” he said. While police have said Ayad allegedly yelled “Allahu Akbar” during the rampage, his alleged infatuation with Ayliffe-Chung is forming as another consideration for detectives. Supt Ray Rohweder said mental health elements were also being considered. “We’re certainly not ruling anything out but what I can say is at this stage there is absolutely no indication of any form of radicalisation or any political motive in relation to this matter,” he said. Rohweder and Byrne’s comments appeared to have left no impression on Christensen, who took to Facebook to criticise the “political correctness brigade”. |