Ipswich councillor slams Pauline Hanson over controversial TV appearance

PAULINE Hanson has been branded a national security risk by a former colleague who warns her comments about Islam, refugees and the Paris attacks could backfire in a bad way.

‘It is now an issue of national security’

PAULINE Hanson has been branded a national security risk by an Ipswich councillor who warns the One Nation leader’s inflammatory comments about Islam, refugees and the Paris attacks could backfire in a bad way.

Long-time councillor Paul Tully’s comments came after Ms Hanson told Nine’s Weekend Today Australia should close its borders to Muslim refugees who could be “ISIS plants” in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Her comments were met with outrage from social media users, including Mr Tully, who tweeted yesterday: “In the interests of Australian national security, it’s time for @TheTodayShow and @sunriseon7 to dump Pauline Hanson”.

He later explained that Today and Sunrise should stop giving Ms Hanson airtime because she was “stirring up the Australian community unnecessarily”.

In the interests of Australian national security, it's time for @TheTodayShow and @sunriseon7 to dump Pauline Hanson.

— CR PAUL TULLY Goodna (@PaulTully) November 15, 2015

“She is only doing it to keep her profile up for the next senate election,” Mr Tully told the Queensland Times.

“She doesn’t represent anyone or hold any public office, but it is now an issue of national security with her regular appearances on those programs.

“She is a spent force in Australian politics and should ride off into the sunset.”

Mr Tully is a long-time councillor in Ipswich, where Ms Hanson began her political career in local government and then as an MP for the seat of Oxley in the 1990s before founding the One National Party.

He said his former council colleague’s comments risked “stirring up hostile people in the community with her comments on refugees and war in the Middle East”.

“It is very disturbing that she is stirring up right wing elements and her comments could backfire on the attempts of the Australian Government to maintain national security,” he said.

“Her comments on the very thing she is trying to stop, could rile people into action.”

Pauline Hanson discusses #ParisAttacks

"People don't want another 12,000 refugees in Australia... Protect and give the Australian people the security they need and are screaming for". We spoke to Pauline Hanson about the situation in Paris. #Today9

Posted by TODAY on Saturday, November 14, 2015

Ms Hanson also told Weekend Today on Sunday that Australia “must be more vigilant on who we bring out” as refugees.

“Can’t we see that these refugees may be cells that have been brought out, who have been planted (by) ISIS to become refugees, who will end up in Australia, on Australian soil,” she said.

“Not every Muslim is a terrorist, but every terrorist is a Muslim.

“Malcolm Turnbull: people don’t want another 12,000 refugees in Australia. People of Australia don’t want more Muslim refugees in Australia who may be ISIS plants.”

Ms Hanson also called on Muslims who were opposed to the Paris attacks to abandon their faith.

Many took to Twitter to call on Today to stop going to Ms Hanson for commentary on matters of global terrorism and Islamic extremism.

@TheTodayShow it's literally insulting having this fool on the tv. Why would you give her air time? She's only going to fuel hate and racism

— Harry ward (@Kaboose94) November 15, 2015

@TheTodayShow does she not know that those fleeing are the same people who are most fearful of ISIS. She's such a knob

— Theresa Khoa (@Maeguineapig) November 15, 2015

It says so much about this country that Pauline Hanson is the media darling on immigration, race relations & racism. Australia, grow up.

— Lou (@MsLou27) November 15, 2015

@TheTodayShow Does Pauline Hanson actually believe the #rubbish that comes out of her mouth?

— Mitchell Kelly (@mitchkelly94) November 16, 2015

absolutely disgusted by pauline hanson and those like her who use the paris attacks as an opportunity to stir up hatred and fear.

— Iris (@shrewsquad) November 16, 2015

In one of the more controversial responses, Australian comedian Adam Hills suggested Ms Hanson should be “hung ... from the Sydney Harbour Bridge” to send a message to the world.

Hills later apologised for the tweet, explaining he was not actually suggesting Ms Hanson should be hanged.

Australia would send a better message to the world if we just hung Pauline Hanson from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

— Adam Hills (@adamhillscomedy) November 15, 2015

Jeez I'm not seriously suggesting we hang Pauline Hanson. She just represents Australia as much as IS represent Muslims. A dumb extremist.

— Adam Hills (@adamhillscomedy) November 15, 2015