Thousands of outraged viewers have called for Sunrise host David Koch to be dumped from his role after a heated on-air stoush with Pauline Hanson.
A Change.org petition has collected more than 65,000 of its intended 75,000 signatures following the televised blowout earlier in the week.
”Kochie’ has no journalism skills and is a simpleton who simply rants about what he’s told to like a good little sheep,’ the petition reads.
‘Time for him to go. Put someone on who actually has a clue.’
Thousands of outraged viewers have called for Sunrise host David Koch (pictured) to be dumped from his role after a heated on-air stoush with Pauline Hanson
A Change.org petition has collected more than 65,000 of its intended 75,000 signatures following the televised blowout earlier in the week
On Monday, Koch didn’t hold back when the One Nation leader appeared on Seven’s breakfast program, grilling the federal senator on her party’s ‘anti-Muslim policies’ in the wake of Friday’s Christchurch terrorist attack which claimed 50 lives
On Monday, Koch didn’t hold back when the One Nation leader appeared on Seven’s breakfast program, grilling the federal senator on her party’s ‘anti-Muslim policies’ in the wake of Friday’s Christchurch terrorist attack which claimed 50 lives.
Koch even drew comparisons between accused Christchurch shooter Brenton Tarrant’s 74-page manifesto to One Nation’s immigration and Muslim policy.
‘This terrorist manifesto almost reads like One Nation immigration and Muslim policy. Do you feel complicit with this atrocity?’ Koch asked Hanson.
‘The anti-Muslim rhetoric that you espouse constantly here, that you did in your maiden speech when you came to parliament. Do you understand?’
A defiant Ms Hanson hit back.
‘David, I feel for those people and I feel for those families who have lost lives. The same across the road here when we had the Lindt Cafe terrorist attacks.
‘We have problems but you’ve actually got to discuss it and debate the issue. Why we have these terrorist attacks in this country. Why is it happening around the world? Why is it happening in many places?’
Many viewers were left outraged at Ms Hanson’s treatment on-screen and labelled it ‘intimidating behaviour’.
‘He’s been a left wing moron for years,’ one person tweeted on Koch.
‘[Koch] Won’t accept another’s view. Sack him.’
Others have questioned why Ms Hanson was suddenly taken to task, when the One Nation leader has made regular appearances on the show for years, and even been paid for her time.
‘Why on earth do you give her a platform so out of proportion with her support and have done so for years,’ one angry viewer tweeted.
‘It is now time for everyone including Ch 7 to take responsibility for their actions.’
In spite of the screened stoush, the network is understood to be keeping Ms Hanson on the show.
Ms Hanson, for her part, hit back at Koch following the interview and branded it an ‘ambush’.
Ms Hanson, for her part, hit back at Koch following the interview and branded it an ‘ambush’
In a three minute video to Facebook that has since attracted more than 235,400 views, Ms Hanson thanked One Nation fans for their overwhelming support.
‘Your comments suggested you thought I was being bullied and shut down, it was an ambush,’ an angry Ms Hanson said.
‘I felt that way too because I haven’t been able to explain myself properly and answer the questions. I know how you feel because you feel exactly the same way and you feel you don’t have a voice.’
A fired up Ms Hanson then questioned whether Mr Koch and Senator Hinch – who was also involved in part of the on-air interview – had actually read her party’s immigration policies.
‘Do they understand? I don’t think they do. They’re quick to criticise me, but when I get out and speak to people, I know how you feel because I feel exactly the same way,’ she said.
Ms Hanson reiterated she doesn’t condone the Christchurch terrorist attack or the way it was conducted ‘in any way shape or form’ but said people are in fear of ‘the ever-changing society we now live in’.
An angry Pauline Hanson took to social media to defend herself after appearing on Sunrise
‘My heartfelt sympathies go out to the people who have lost their lives and their loved one, the same as I did for all of the other terrorist attacks that happened through out the world,’ Ms Hanson said.
‘My comments are purely based on let’s find the reasons behind these terrorist attacks. Don’t shut down debate. Give the people an opportunity to have their say.’
Ms Hanson again downplayed previous connections to under-fire Senator Fraser Anning after being ambushed by Koch and Senator Hinch when she said she would abstain from a vote to censure Mr Anning following his controversial comments on immigration in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
‘I don’t agree with anything Fraser Anning has said in placing the blame on these innocent people, that’s not the way to go about it,’ she said in the video.
While many have swarmed to Ms Hanson’s defence, others have been less supportive of the One Nation leader.
‘Don’t like Sunrise, intensely dislike Hanson,’ one man commented.
Another added: ‘I’m ashamed of Pauline Hanson who has made racism and bigotry more acceptable.’
Ms Hanson again downplayed previous connections to under-fire Senator Fraser Anning (pictured) after being ambushed by Koch and Senator Hinch when she said she would abstain from a vote to censure Mr Anning following his controversial comments on immigration over the Christchurch mosque shootings