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Soofia Tariq

Fake headline about teal MP and parliament IQ tests deceives

The claim new MPs will face IQ tests originated from a satire site. (AAP/Facebook)

What was claimed

Australia's parliament will introduce an IQ test for new MPs.

Our verdict

False. The story is from a graphic posted by a satirical account.

AAP FACTCHECK - A fake news headline targeting a teal independent MP with claims about a parliamentary IQ test is being shared online as if it's authentic.

The graphic featuring an image of Warringah MP Zali Steggall was originally posted by a self-described satirical account, but is being shared as genuine news ahead of the May 3 federal election.

There is no evidence that any political party or politician has proposed an IQ test for new MPs in the upcoming poll.

The claim appears in a graphic in a Facebook post targeting independent MP Zali Steggall and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.

"Zali Steggall claims Cyclone Alfred could have been prevented if we all listened to Chris Bowen: Parliament to introduce IQ test for new MPs," the text said.

However, the graphic is not an authentic news story despite being labelled "breaking news". It was first posted on Facebook by an account that describes itself as 'parody/satire'.

Independent MP Zali Steggall
Independent MP Zali Steggall has been targeted in a satirical post being shared on social media. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

The account regularly posts fake news headlines.

AAP FactCheck found no evidence of news reports about politicians or parties proposing an IQ test for incoming politicians.

No pending legislation was proposing such a test on the Australian Parliament website.

The independent MP has previously spoken in support of early adaptation to climate change to mitigate the effects of natural disasters like cyclones on Sky News Australia.

"You want to have clear risk assessments, national risk assessments done and a clear plan by the government of the day to meet that risk and adapt to it and that's why I think it should be legislated and why it's important that we have this in place before disaster strikes", she said (2:47).

However, there is no evidence that Ms Steggall explicitly stated that Cyclone Alfred would not have happened if Australians had listened to the climate change minister.

AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network. To keep up with our latest fact checks, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, BlueSky, TikTok and YouTube.

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