One Nation candidate Stephanie Banister’s political future appears uncertain with reports that she will be dumped today following a confused TV interview this week.
The Seven Network reported on Friday evening the party will today drop Ms Banister, 27, as its candidate for the federal seat of Rankin. “She’s not ready,” party founder Pauline Hanson said.
On Wednesday evening, Ms Banister, showed a distinct lack of knowledge about religion and current affairs in an interview with Channel Seven.
“I don’t oppose Islam as a country,” Ms Banister told the network. She also referred to the Koran as “haram” and said the national disability insurance scheme was “working at the moment”, when it does not begin until 2016.
The interview was widely distributed, with international news outlets even comparing her televised gaffes with the 2008 flubs of then US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Fairfax Media reports the party’s Queensland executive will consider the controversy at a meeting today.
But Ms Banister has influential supporters in the party. Party leader Jim Savage said that Ms Banister had been dealt a terrible injustice.
Mr Savage said Ms Banister meant to say “in” a country and immediately corrected herself, but this was not aired.
“Channel Seven went to air trying to give the impression Stephanie said Islam was a country,” he said in a statement.
“She immediately corrected herself, but Seven conveniently left this off.”
“I am bloody furious that Channel Seven targeted this young woman, without our knowledge.
“Of course as a rank novice it was easy to manage to get her to make a simple slip of the tongue.”
“The poor girl was giving her very first TV interview, and if anyone thinks it is easy, try doing it some time.”
Ms Banister, who is facing criminal charges after allegedly placing anti-Muslim stickers such as “Halal food funds terrorism” on supermarket products, said her words had been taken out of context.