Pauline Hanson wound back the clock 20 years in delivering her maiden speech to the Senate on Wednesday. Only this time it was not Asians getting a tongue lashing, it was the Muslims turn. According to Hanson “We (Australia) are in danger of being swamped by Muslims,” Something the facts do not support. Australia’s Muslim population is around 2.5% of the total. Hanson would have been more accurate if she said we were in danger of being swamped by Christians, about 60% of people claim to be Christian.
I support free speech, and Hanson can stand up in parliament and say whatever she likes, with total impunity, but when she has to resort to exaggerations and outright lies to make her point, it is a sad day as it demonstrates she is more concerned with stirring up division and hated in our society than promoting harmony and understanding.
Unfortunate Hanson’s whole speech was peppered with untruths and exaggerations. The Greens Senators were right in walking out on her, rather than listen to her ranting.

"The Greens Senators were right in walking out on her, rather than listen to her"

Defending the indefensible. The electorate deserves better than that.

The boorish Greens walked off the job and their pays and days of service for their entitlements eg., travel allowance, should be docked accordingly.

As well, Parliamentarians are elected and paid to represent everyone, not just the smug, self-entitled middle-class urban clique that swing Greens 'policies' (such as they are!).

Paul,

You say you support free speech, "but..". You either do support free speech, no matter how odious you believe it is, or you do not support free speech. I accept that you do not like some of the things she said, and that is your right. I don't like some of things you say (and vice versa, I'm sure) but I accept your right to say whatever you want. There is no such thing as 'half-pregnant' as they say. Your are pregnant or you are not. You sincerely believe in free speech or you do not.

I don't believe in everthing PH says. And I think that she should have spoken against/about Islam itself, not individual Muslims. I think she is now rather embarrassed about her 20 year old Asian 'flooding', from radio interviews I've heard. I think she will, and should, apologise, as she has been proved wrong.

But, she is saying what many other more articulate and polished people think, but who don't have her guts to get up and say it. She now has 3 other colleagues who could well soften some of her blows, and she is neccessary to our increasingly moribund, elitist political system.

Cheers.

PS, Paul,

Otb is right about the walkout, in my view. It is almost sacrosanct in parliament that you respect the maiden speech of new members no matter who they are. You do not heckle. You even congratulate them (through gritted teeth, maybe). Hell, even Derryn Hinch gave her a peck on the cheek. You certainly do not walk out. It's unwritten law. The Greens were disgraceful, and I have emailed them and Dodson along those lines. I know it would be hurtful to you, Paul, but this is not the first time the parliamenary Greens have demonstrated the hatred and thuggishness they accuse others of.

It was a cheap political stunt. What cowards they are.

Expect more.

what an honor to have such haters of this nation walking out when you speak.