Verdict panellists label Jacqui Lambie’s calls for electronic bracelets for refugees ‘fear-mongering’

Senator Jacqui Lambie has defended her calls for “electronic bracelets” to track refugees in Australia, despite other panellists on The Verdict arguing that the move is “fear-mongering” and would in fact benefit ISIL.

Ms Lambie said the Paris attackers were an example of terrorists who would stop at nothing.

“The only way you’re going to stop these men is by putting a bullet in their heads,” she said of the Paris attackers.

Ms Lambie then suggested refugees in Australia should be subject to tracking via electronic bracelets, due to security concerns.

“And while we’re letting these refugees come in, without, you know the screening that probably needs to be done – and I don’t believe we’re doing enough of it – that puts Australians at risk,” she said.

“This is why I have a problem with all these refugees coming in.”

Electronic bracelets would be a “hell of a lot better than being in a detention centre,” she said.

“Why can’t we collect the data and see exactly what they’re up to, and keep a check on them – I think that’s our right as Australians.”

Fellow panellist, broadcaster Rachel Corbett, said the bracelets were unnecessary because refugees are not criminals.

“There is no way in the current climate, when the repercussions would be so massive, that the Australian government… have not checked and balanced everything,” Ms Corbett said.

“This is exactly what Islamic State wants – they want a Muslim family to come into Australia and for all of us to think they’re terrorists and for them to have nowhere else to go except the caliphate.”

Another panellist, writer Osman Faruqi, said many politicians were “fear-mongering” about refugees, rather than focussing on the real issue of radicalisation in Australia.

“I think we’ve got an actual serious problem in this country with young men being radicalised,” he said.

“What we’re hearing from politicians… and from other conservative members of society… is not any ideas on how to address the serious radicalisation that is going on, particularly targeting young Muslim men from disadvantaged areas.

“Instead, we get fear-mongering about refugees, which actually won’t address the issue,” Mr Faruqi said.

Ms Lambie suggested Mr Faruqi speak to the Grand Mufti.

“Well you better speak to the Grand Mufti about that because he probably needs to stand up a hell of a lot stronger,” she said.