Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Hansard source

Let me make it quite clear that I was not in the chamber yesterday for Fraser Anning's maiden speech and also the fact that I did watch it from my office and I was appalled at his comments and his remarks. To actually hear people say now, as Senator Hinch said, that it is like hearing Pauline Hanson on steroids, I take offence to that, because why relate it back to me? I think that's questionable. I have raised issues in this parliament, but I'll get into that.

Fraser Anning, I can assure you, did not write that speech. But he delivered it and he is responsible for it. The speech was written by Richard Howard, straight from Goebbels's handbook from Nazi Germany. Richard Howard worked for a military propaganda specialist. He was one of the staffers—Richard Howard actually did work in Senator Malcolm Roberts's office and was sacked out of that office. He did ask me for a position in my office, after Senator Roberts lost his position in this parliament, and I refused to take him on. He got a job with Senator Anning when he was elected to the parliament under the banner of Pauline Hanson's One Nation, yes, but at no time has he ever held a seat in this parliament under Pauline Hanson's One Nation. From day one when he was sworn in, he was an Independent. Richard was one of the staffers that I warned Fraser Anning not to take on; he disregarded my warning and took him on. So that was his decision.

As I said, I'm appalled by Fraser Anning's speech. I have always spoken up on issues with regard to our country and I will stand by those views that I have. We are a multiracial society, and I've always advocated you do not have to be white to be Australian. We have called for people coming here to give their loyalty, their undivided loyalty, to this country, that you be Australian and proud of this country and abide by the laws. I suggest that you actually go and have a look at the immigration policy of One Nation and read it thoroughly.

Might I also bring to your attention that our candidates standing under One Nation come from all different ethnic backgrounds. Our member for Mirani, Stephen Andrew, is the first South Sea Islander to hold a position in parliament as an MP in Queensland, or, as a matter of fact, in Australia. So I think you need to direct your criticisms elsewhere.

You say that you sat here through the speech and you are now appalled at the fact that you actually went up and shook Fraser Anning's hand—especially in light of the speech. You sat here and you listened to it. Well, how gutless are members in this parliament? If you were so appalled then you should have got up and walked out of the place. And the thing is: now that it has turned and the public are having a say about this, you're here on the floor of parliament—well, congratulations!

I do support the censure. The words said should not have been said, because it is not what we want in this country, and I don't agree with them either.

When Senator Cameron makes comments about my racist comments in this parliament, what are the racist comments? There were no racist comments. Criticism is not racism. To make comments about our immigration—that we have a right to a say on where our country's headed and the numbers that we have in Australia—is very important to our future and the wellbeing of this country. And I will continue to stand by it.

So what I would say to the people of this parliament is: while you may have your grievances on what Fraser Anning has said, don't direct them at me because it's got nothing to do with me. Go and talk to Bob Katter. Last I knew, Fraser Anning had joined the Katter party. I haven't heard one of you mention Katter's party. I would like to ask the Labor Party: do you intend to put Bob Katter's party last on your how-to-vote cards now?