Coalition backflips on Pauline Hanson’s ‘It’s okay to be white’ motion
GOVERNMENT senators have been forced into a humiliating backdown after voting for a motion declaring “it’s okay to be white”, as One Nation leader Pauline Hanson states it “has got nothing to do with racism”.
NSW
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GOVERNMENT senators have been forced into a humiliating backdown after voting for a motion declaring “it’s okay to be white”.
Liberal and National senators on Monday backed One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson’s failed motion, which also declared “anti-white” racism was on the rise in Australia.
But Senate leader Mathias Cormann later insisted it was a “stuff up” despite some insiders believing a backlash in Wentworth led to the bizarre flip-flop on the vote.
Parliament yesterday descended into a farce when the government then pushed for a second vote in as many days to backflip on its support.
Labor senator Penny Wong said the phrase “it’s OK to be white” was used by neo-Nazis and white supremacists.
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Senator Hanson said the government was “spooked” by Labor which made connections between the phrase and the Ku Klux Klan.
“What a load of bloody hogwash. This has got nothing to do with racism,” she told 2GB.
“This is about what is happening in our country. I’m white, and I’m proud of it.
“But also everyone should be proud of who they are, whether you’re white or back or brindle.”
Labor and the Greens expressed doubt about the government’s explanation but Mr Cormann said it had been decided to oppose the move last month. The motion lost both votes.
“It is often said when wondering when something is a conspiracy or a stuff up, go for the stuff up every time,” Senator Cormann said.
Victorian Senator Derryn Hinch labelled Coalition Senators “a bloody disgrace”.