The company behind an Australia Day ad featuring two young Muslim girls wearing hijabs has been taken down after reportedly receiving a number of threats.

The out-of-home campaign used a large QMS digital billboard alongside the Link Freeway in Melbourne’s south-east to promote the upcoming Australia Day festivities, featuring the two smiling models alongside the Australian flag.

B&T contacted QMS, however, it declined to comment on the matter.

The ad caused quite a stir among the far-right nutters on social media, while Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott said QMS – the state government’s external partners – hosted the campaign and independently chose to remove it after receiving a number of threats, according to Daily Mail Australia.

However, Scott said that “anyone who considers this a victory needs a refresher on the true meaning of Australia Day”.