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Fraser Anning staffer and alleged Nazi enthusiast employed by Home Affairs
Sydney Morning Herald March 22, 2019 12.00am
Nicole Hasham
EXCLUSIVE The political staffer accused of writing Fraser Anning’s infamous "final solution" speech and holding an obsession with Nazi Germany is employed by the federal government agency managing Australia’s immigration program, it has emerged.
The staffer, Richard Howard, is on unpaid leave from the Department of Home Affairs and has left the door open to returning should Senator Anning fail to be re-elected in May.
Senator Anning prompted global condemnation for links he made between the Christchurch terrorist attack and Muslim immigration. At the time of writing almost 1.4 million people had signed a petition calling for him to be expelled from Parliament, and Labor and the Coalition plan to vote together to censure him in a Senate motion when MPs return to Canberra in April.
The far-right Queensland senator rose to prominence in August last year after his maiden speech praised the White Australia Policy and said a national vote would provide "the final solution to the immigration problem".
"The final solution" is a phrase associated with Nazi Germany's extermination of Jewish people in Europe and beyond.
Following Senator Anning’s speech, One Nation senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts claimed it was written by Mr Howard, describing him as "fascinated with Nazi Germany" and "a military man". Mr Howard was once a One Nation staffer.
Mr Howard has previously denied writing the speech or holding extremist views. Asked on Thursday if he wrote or endorsed Mr Anning’s comments on the Christchurch massacre, Mr Howard said "no, that isn’t my job … I have no position [on his views] whatsoever. My job is to deal with constituent inquiries".
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age has learnt that Mr Howard took leave without pay from the Home Affairs department to work for Senator Anning.
He flagged the possibility of resuming work with the department after the election, saying "I have no idea ... I don’t have any particular plans. Obviously my intention is to continue to work with [a re-elected] Senator Anning".
Mr Howard did not say what position he held at the department or his dates of employment.
This publication has also learned that Mr Howard was investigated for misconduct while working at Home Affairs.
Mr Howard confirmed he was the subject of "a baseless allegation of bullying which an investigation found was without foundation".
A spokesman for Senator Anning said that as a staffer to a member of parliament, Mr Howard was required to "carry out his duties as instructed by his employer and as a public servant neither agrees nor disagrees with any views that may be expressed”.
As a public servant Mr Howard also "supports the policies of the government of the day", the spokesman said, adding that Mr Howard had "reserved his rights in relation to the baseless allegations that were made against him a year ago".
In a statement, the department said it does not comment on the personal circumstances of staff, but that all were bound by a professional standards framework "including [those on] long term leave".
Staff were assessed for their "suitability from an integrity and character perspective" to work in the department", it said, adding that "upon a staff member’s return from long term leave, they are required to declare all changes to their personal circumstances".