Australian prime minister suggests senator should be charged for hitting teen after egg attack

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison suggested that a right-wing senator should be charged for hitting a protester who egged him.

Queensland Sen. Fraser Anning sparked widespread backlash for anti-Muslim comments made in the wake of the Friday massacre at two New Zealand mosques.

At a news conference on Saturday, a 17-year-old protester approached Fraser and smashed an egg on the lawmaker’s head. Fraser responded by punching the protester and had to be restrained by security officials.

{mosads}Morrison told reporters on Sunday that “the full force of the law should be applied to Sen. Anning,” according to the Associated Press.

Police have said that they are investigating the incident “in its entirety,” including the egging and Anning’s response.

Anning drew outrage for a statement issued after the shooting pointing to “the increasing Muslim presence” in Australia and New Zealand as cause for the attack.

“The real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets today is the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place,” the far-right senator wrote.

Morrison rebuked Anning on Twitter, saying: “Those views have no place in Australia, let alone the Australian Parliament.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also condemned Anning’s comments, telling reporters “they’re a disgrace,” according to the AP.

At least 49 people were killed and dozens of others injured in the shootings. A 28-year-old Australian man has been taken into custody and charged.