SYDNEY – The Australian Senate delivered a formal rebuke Monday to controversial politician Pauline Hanson following divisive remarks she made about Muslims during a February television appearance.
The censure motion targeted statements Hanson made on Sky News while discussing potential repatriation of Australian family members connected to Islamic State fighters in Syria. During that interview, Hanson declared: “They hate Westerners, and that’s what it’s all about. You say there’s great Muslims out there, well I’m sorry, how can you tell me there are good Muslims?”
Senate Labor leader Penny Wong introduced the formal condemnation, which described Hanson’s remarks as “inflammatory and divisive comments seeking to vilify Muslim Australians, which do not reflect the opinions of the Australian Senate or the Australian people.”
The measure gained approval with backing from the Greens party and two members of the conservative Liberal party who broke ranks with their colleagues.
Wong explained the significance of the action, stating: “This censure motion is about drawing a line and sending a message to the people of faith in this country and sending a message to children in this country that your leaders believe that condemning an entire religion is not acceptable.”
Hanson dismissed the proceedings as a “stunt” and left the chamber in protest.
The Queensland representative, who heads the anti-immigration One Nation party, first gained national attention during the 1990s through her vocal opposition to Asian immigration and asylum seekers. She has made headlines for wearing a burqa in Parliament on two occasions, including as recently as November, as part of her campaign to prohibit public wearing of the Islamic garment.
Despite the controversy, polling data indicates Hanson’s One Nation party has gained ground against the country’s conservative opposition coalition, capturing 28% of primary voter support as anti-immigration sentiment grows.
