By Amy Remeikis
Greens senators walked out of Pauline Hanson's incendiary first speech to the Senate, after she claimed the nation was "in danger of being swamped by Muslims" with its people "living under sharia law and treated as second-class citizens" if urgent changes weren't made to immigration policies.
The Queensland senator made her views on Islam and those who practise it clear just a few minutes into her first Senate speech since her re-election, claiming they "bear a culture and ideology which is incompatible with our own" and calling for an end to all immigration.
Migrants already within the borders, who did not "assimilate" into what Senator Hanson described as Australia's culture, could "go back where you came from … if it would be of any help, I'll take you to the airport and wave you goodbye with sincere best wishes".
But the senator, who also called for an end to halal certification and for a ban on the construction of any further mosques - with those existing to be monitored - said she did not believe the nation could remain secure under current policies.
Senator Pauline Hanson delivers her first speech in the Senate.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
"Our leaders continue to tell us to be tolerant and to embrace the good Muslims," she said.
"But how should 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?"
It wasn't just Islam that drew Senator Hanson's focus - restricting welfare payments also formed part of her speech.
"Welfare is not a right, unless you are aged or sick, it is a privilege paid for by hard-working Australians," she said.
Greens senators walk out as Senator Hanson delivers her first speech in the Senate.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
"Then we have the single mums having more children just to maintain their welfare payments, and Muslim men marrying multiple wives under their laws and having multiple children at our expense while they collect thousands of dollars a week from the taxpayer. How many have ever held a job? Why would anyone want to work, when welfare is so very lucrative?
"If people bring children into the world, it is their responsibility, not the taxpayers.
"Therefore, I propose that, if a woman has a child, then the taxpayer supports the first child, but if they have more, there will be no increase to the welfare payment.
"Get a job and start taking responsibility for your own actions."
Senator Hanson also renewed her calls for changes to the Family Court system, claiming children were being used as pawns "in custody battles where women make frivolous claims and believe they have the sole right to the children".
"Children have two parents and, until we treat mums and dads with the same courtesy and rights, we will continue to see murders due to sheer frustration, depression and mental illness caused by their unworkable scheme," she said.
A ban on the foreign ownership of agricultural land also formed part of Senator Hanson's platform.
But it was Muslims who claimed the majority of the senator's attention.
Twenty years and four days after claiming the nation was in danger of being "swamped by Asians" in her maiden speech as the independent member for Oxley, Senator Hanson revived and updated her original warning, telling her Senate colleagues she was "back", warmly thanking a packed public gallery, and claiming she was there to help a nation "in fear".
"Australia is now seeing changes in suburbs predominantly Muslim," she said. "Tolerance towards other Australians is no longer the case. Our law courts are disrespected and our prisons have become breeding grounds for Muslims to radicalise inmates.
"Muslims are imprisoned at almost three times the average rate. The rate of unemployed and public dependency is two to three times greater than the national average.
"Muslims are prominent in organised crime with associated violence and drug dealing.
"Anti-social behaviour is rampant, fuelled by hyper-masculine and misogynist culture. Multiple social surveys find that neighbours of Muslim settlement are suffering from collapsing social cohesion and fear of crime.
"Australians in general are more fearful."
It was then that the Greens senators began leaving the chamber, but Senator Hanson, who had began her speech with a shaky voice, was undeterred.
"Islam can not have a significant presence in Australia, if we are to live in an open, secular and cohesive society," she said.
"Never before in Australia's history have we seen civil unrest and terror associated with a so-called religion and followers of that faith.
"We have seen the destruction we have seen it is causing around the world. If we don't make changes now, there will be no hope in the future.
"Have no doubt that we will be living under sharia law and treated as second-class citizens with second-class rights, if we keep heading down the path with the attitude, 'She'll be right, mate.' "
Senator Hanson finished to warm welcomes to the chamber from crossbenchers such as Derryn Hinch and some Coalition senators, but it was within the public gallery, where friends, family and supporters sat, where she found her most sympathetic audience.
She pledged to work with senators no matter where they fell on the political divide - but only if they wanted to see Australia "prosper".
Senator Hanson will have a six-year term in the Senate, where she is joined by three other senators under her party's banner, making One Nation the most powerful cohort on the crossbench.