Pauline Hanson’s maiden Senate speech: Australia in danger of ‘being swamped by Muslims’
UPDATE: Pauline Hanson’s second maiden senate speech has been widely condemned but former prime minister John Howard warned against marginalising the One Nation founder and her supporters.
NSW
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PAULINE Hanson’s second maiden speech to the Senate saw a mixed reaction ranging from the Greens senators walking out to appeals from former prime minister John Howard calling on people not to demonise her.
Twenty years after she infamously declared Australia was “in danger of being swamped by Asians”, Senator Hanson Mk II has warned “we are in danger of being swamped by Muslims”.
In her second maiden speech to the Senate, the firebrand also warned that Australia would be living under sharia law if the government did not toughen its stance on the Islamic faith.
Greens senators stormed out of the chamber as the One Nation leader, whose party now holds the balance of power in the Senate, called for a ban on immigration, burqas, and new mosques and Islamic schools.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale later tweeted: “Racism has no place in parliament but that is what we have just heard from Senator Hanson. I stand with those people hurt by her words.”
Others were not as harsh with Mr Howard admitting that marginalising Senator Hanson and her supporters like was done 20 years ago would be a mistake.
Mr Howard told ABC TV, Senator Hanson was entitled to be treated in a respectful fashion by the rest of parliament.
“In relation to Pauline Hanson, the mistake that was made 20 years ago of trying to demonise her and demonise her supporters should not be repeated,” Mr Howard said.
He argued that people who voted for Senator Hanson were not racists or bigots and did not vote for her because of their views on immigration. “They voted for her because they’re unhappy with the mainstream political parties,” Mr Howard said.
“A form of disillusionment or protest vote, yes.” It reflected poorly on the Greens that they walked out early, he said.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Senator Hanson had a right to her views and to express them.
“We must recognise that Pauline Hanson was elected by the people of Queensland to represent their interests in the Senate,” Ms Bishop told the ABC.
“She has rightly taken her seat in the Senate. She is entitled to her views. I disagree with many of them, as would other Australians.
“But one of the strengths of this country is that we do believe in freedom of speech, we believe in open debate, and the opportunity to debate dissenting voices.”
Senator Nick Xenaphon said that while members of his party did not walk out on the speech they ‘fundamentally disagree’ with Senator Hanson’s views.
Special Minister of State Scott Ryan said he profoundly disagreed with Senator Hanson’s call to end immigration.
“I’m a strong supporter of our non-discriminatory immigration policy, it’s incredibly successful and serves Australia well,” he told ABC Radio.
Labor frontbencher Linda Burney, meanwhile said Senator Hanson’s speech was “outdated, outmoded, inaccurate and pretty outrageous”.
She condemned the senator for blaming domestic violence victims for their plight.
“We will not tolerate hate speech, we will not tolerate racism and we certainly will not ever endorse the idea that family violence is acceptable,” Ms Burney said.
Liberal frontbencher Craig Laundy, who represents the multicultural Sydney seat of Reid, reminded people that parliament was a contest of ideas and acknowledged some people would take exception to what Senator Hanson said. The best way to combat such views was to “continue to live shoulder to shoulder” in harmony.
“You’re entitled to an opinion in Australia — that’s freedom of speech,” he said.
During her speech Senator Hanson offered to drive foreigners who did not embrace Australian culture to the airport, declaring: “I suggest you go back where you came from.
“In my first speech in 1996, I said we are in danger of being swamped by Asians,’’ she said.
“Now we are in danger of being swamped by Muslims who bear a culture and ideology which is incompatible with our own.”
The new senator claimed Muslims were being imprisoned at three times the average rate and were prominent in organised crime associated with violence and drug dealing.
She accused governments of not treating the risk of Islamic extremism seriously.
“Our leaders continue to tell us to be tolerant and embrace the good Muslims,” Ms Hanson said. “How shall we tell the difference? There is no sign saying ‘good Muslim’ or ‘bad Muslim’. How many lives will be lost or destroyed trying to determine who is good and who is bad?”
The speech, which came 20 years and four days after her first speech to the House of Representatives, did not focus entirely on immigration. She also attacked Australia’s welfare system, saying too many people were given a free ride by taxpayers.
Racism has no place in Parliament but that is what we have just heard from Senator Hanson. I stand with those people hurt by her words.
— Richard Di Natale (@RichardDiNatale) September 14, 2016
Ms Hanson said families should only be able to claim welfare for firstborn children, and backed the government’s proposal to force young jobseekers to spend a month looking for work before claiming the dole.
“Why would anyone want to work when welfare is so lucrative,’’ she asked.
The Queenslander also launched an attack on the government’s approval of foreign companies buying Australian agricultural land.
Ms Hanson acknowledged the long time it had taken her to return to public office: “It has taken numerous elections, countless legal battles and doing a stint in maximum security on trumped-up charges ... to find myself here.
“I’m back but not alone.”
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