Zali Steggall must renounce her support for political violence or resign from Parliament, Family First National Director Lyle Shelton said today.
"As someone whose Canberra office was firebombed in an act of political violence in 2016 because my team and I were publicly advocating for the same things Charlie Kirk was killed for, I call upon Ms Steggall to renounce violence or resign," Mr Shelton said.
Ms Steggall liked a social media post on Instagram by Cheek Media co-founder Hannah Ferguson which said: "Am I happy that someone shot him in the neck in broad daylight? No," but also, "Is violence sometimes necessary? Yes".
"There are no circumstances in which political violence is necessary," Mr Shelton said.
"Those of us in Australia who have been long-time public advocates for marriage, family and human rights for the unborn have been deeply affected by Charlie Kirk's assassination.
"Before Charlie Kirk rose to fame, the Family First political party began advocating for the restoration of man-woman marriage and stable families for kids in the midst of political culture hostile and indifferent to these enduring values.
"To see someone in another Western country fighting for what we believe gunned down has sent shockwaves through the pro-family movement in Australia.
"The visceral and callous reaction of many prominent 'progressive' public figures has only compounded our grief.
"To see public figures like Ms Steggall supporting political violence against people like us because she has animus towards the political values millions of mainstream Australians hold dear is deeply troubling. It's actually unacceptable."
Mr Shelton, who is also Family First's lead upper house candidate for the next NSW election, said if elected he would introduce legislation making it a criminal offence to support political violence.
