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

The events of the last two days have established that even in this place, despite our trusted position of authority and responsibility, senators are afraid to deal with matters which may be contentious or even offend. Instead, the issues Senator Hanson and One Nation raised have met a response that can only be described as cowardice wrapped in fake outrage. One Nation will not be discouraged from addressing these issues that are threatening the welfare of everyday Australians. Radical Islam is a threat to the future of our beautiful country, and I will continue to defend Christianity and our Australian identity.

I want to address specific issues raised in this motion and related debate—firstly, the accusation that our opposition to the burqa would endanger schoolchildren in burqas. I must ask: what the hell is a schoolchild doing wearing a burqa? France solved that with a ban on burqas and face coverings in school. Australia must do so as well. As for talk of using a prop, the Greens' own Senator Hanson-Young brought a dead fish into the chamber and waved it around. That was not called a prop. Senator Thorpe brought a traditional Aboriginal weapon into the chamber, and that was not called a prop. Senator Faruqi demonstrated her fanatical support for Palestine with the frequent wearing of the keffiyeh; that was not deemed a prop. Senator Price wearing an Australian flag was a prop. Senator Hanson wearing a burqa was a prop. The definition of a prop appears to be anything Greens senators don't want to talk about.

This motion criticises everyday Australians marching proudly for their flag and their country, the same flag that flies above us right now. These marches are peaceful, joyous family events celebrating everything Australia used to be. No wonder the Greens hate it. The violence that occurred in the Melbourne march came from people who gatecrashed the event. Tarring unrelated groups with the same Nazi brush is brain-dead Greens propaganda. One Nation stands in defence of our flag, our community and our nation. Why don't you?