Zali Steggall, the Federal Member of Parliament for Warringah, has publicly distanced herself from a social media post that suggested “violence is sometimes necessary” in the context of the recent killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. The incident has sparked significant controversy, particularly given the nature of the remarks made in the post by Hannah Ferguson, the leader of Cheek Media.
On September 10, 2023, Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The shooting occurred in broad daylight and involved a single rifle shot fired from a rooftop, while approximately 3,000 attendees were present. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old trade school student, was arrested shortly after the incident and is currently in custody on suspicion of having shot Kirk.
In a statement released on Sunday, Steggall clarified that her initial support for Ferguson’s post did not equate to an endorsement of its controversial message. “Am I happy that someone has been shot in the neck in broad daylight? No,” the post stated. It went on to suggest an “irony” in Kirk’s death, which has drawn widespread condemnation.
Steggall expressed her disapproval of the violent rhetoric, stating, “I do not condone the horrific political violence that has occurred in the US and resulted in the death of Charlie Kirk.” Initially, she liked the post to underscore the importance of discussing the dangerous polarization occurring online due to media algorithms. However, she emphasized, “I do not agree with or endorse everything Hannah has written. For the avoidance of doubt, I have chosen to unlike the post.”
The situation has escalated, with Steggall attributing part of the outrage to the conservative political lobby group Advance Australia, which she claims has selectively framed her actions to incite division. “Political violence is never the answer,” she reiterated, underscoring her stance against such acts.
Steggall’s comments reflect a growing concern among many lawmakers regarding the implications of political rhetoric and the impact of social media on public discourse. As the investigation into Kirk’s death continues, the debate surrounding the intertwining of politics and violence remains a pressing issue within the broader national conversation.
