(Miller, 2016)

The politics of fear, hate and division is alive again in Australia.  Politicians from all sides were left reeling after Senator Pauline Hanson’s maiden speech to parliament, 20 years after her first controversial speech.

Twenty years on and nothing much has changed, like all of us Hanson is bit older but none the wiser.  Her  rhetoric has not changed, bar the swapping of racial focus and comment from Asians to Muslims.

Pauline Hanson entered federal politics at the 1996 federal election winning the Queensland seat of Oxley as an independent.  The Liberal Party dis-endorsed Hanson shortly before the election because of inappropriate comments she made about Indigenous Australians. (Australianpolitics.com, 1996)

Her maiden speech to parliament caused a storm of controversy over her racist remarks about Aboriginals, and criticisms of immigration and multiculturalism.  Hanson’s prominent remark on Asians became a well-known line. (Australianpolitics.com, 1996)

“I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians.” Hanson stated (Australianpolitics.com, 1996)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgi0isN35nc

(Hanson’s controversial 1996 maiden speech, 1996)

Hanson’s maiden speech 10 September 2016 resurrected the old line, “now we are in danger of being swamped by Muslims” she declared. (Martino, 2016)

Hanson’s maiden speech is full of unsubstantiated claims, racist and offensive comment that incites hatred and division.  The sanctity of parliamentary privilege acting as the protector of free speech, no matter how absurd or offensive.

Perhaps the greatest concern of all is that Pauline Hanson received enough votes to take her place on the senate.  This time around there was no mistake, the voters knew who they were voting for and what she represents.

Khaled Elomar, a Lebanese born Muslim confronted Hanson on the ABC’s Q and A program directly asking Hanson, “what is the basis of your Islamophobic feelings: hate, fear of ignorance?” (Urban, 2016)

Outside the the Q and A studio, Police arrested five people from the scene of protests between the One Nation supporters and anti-Hanson protestors.  (White, 2016)

The politics of fear, hate and division at work.

Reference

Australianpolitics.com, 1996. Pauline Hanson’s Maiden Speech In The House Of Representatives. [Online]
Available at: http://australianpolitics.com/1996/09/10/pauline-hanson-maiden-speech.html
[Accessed 20 September 2016].

Hanson’s controversial 1996 maiden speech. 1996. [Film] Directed by Pauline Hanson. Australia: You Tube.

Martino, M., 2016. Everything you need to know about Pauline Hanson’s maiden speech. [Online]
Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-20/pauline-hanson-maiden-speech-annotated/7852522
[Accessed 20 September 2016].

Miller, K., 2016. Protest groups face off over Pauline Hanson Q and A appearance. [Online]
Available at: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/protests-group-face-off-over-pauline-hanson-q-and-a-appearance/news-story/6f176c0ad03118743cb1117e1f9928bd
[Accessed 20 September 2016].

Urban, R., 2016. Q&A: ‘Good bloke’ Muslim lashed Hanson. [Online]
Available at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/qa-good-bloke-muslim-lashed–hanson/news-story/aa99506920fc2247941288b5e68fa869
[Accessed 20 September 2016].

White, N., 2016. Protest groups face off over Pauline Hanson Q and A appearance. [Online]
Available at: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/protests-group-face-off-over-pauline-hanson-q-and-a-appearance/news-story/6f176c0ad03118743cb1117e1f9928bd
[Accessed 20 September 2016].