Australian candidate steps down after interview full of gaffes
An Australian election candidate who thought Islam was a country has stepped down.
Stephanie Banister made a number of errors during an interview with Channel Seven, in which she mistook the religion for being a nation, claimed Jews follow Jesus Christ and mixed up the Qur'an with the Arabic term "haram", which means forbidden.
She said: "I don't oppose Islam as a country but I do feel that their laws should not be welcome here in Australia.
"Less than two per cent of Australians follow haram. Jews aren't under haram. They have their own religion which follows Jesus Christ."
The 27-year-old politician - who is due in court accused of putting stickers stating, 'Beware! Halal food funds terrorism' on Nestle products at her local Woolworths supermarket - has since apologised for her gaffes.
She said in a statement: "With the way Channel Seven edited my interview, I was left quite the fool.
"I'd like to apologise to One Nation, to my friends and family, for any embarrassment this has brought to them."
