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

Janet Shay continues:

The word "Islamophobia" is used in Australia to shut down the freedom to have opposing conversations about the religion of Islam.

A phobia is an irrational fear. Reading the Quran and asking whether its teachings align with Australian values isn't irrational.

Christianity is openly mocked in our country without legal protection from criticism. Nor should there be such protection. In a free society, any belief system can be questioned.

But when Islam is questioned the conversation shuts down and the person asking the question is called 'the problem'. And the question about Islam NEVER gets answered.

She says:

Australia, we have the right to read, question and think for ourselves. Go to your local library. Pick up a copy of the Quran. Read the Hadith, the recorded words and example of their Prophet Muhammad. Draw your own conclusion and decide if Islam should be shielded from scrutiny in a democratic nation.

Demand that our government clearly distinguish between those who wish to live freely alongside us and those whose convictions oppose the safety and freedom of Australians.

And let us build our immigration, our policy and our national values accordingly.

That is not hatred. That is not phobia. That is us protecting ourselves.

It is not good enough for our government to call behaviour Terrorism when it's outside of our country and refuse to say the name when it is inside.

The people of Iran were duped into accepting an Islamic government and have paid for it in blood for 47 years, while the world stood by and didn't listen.

Do not let Australia learn that lesson the way Iran did.

Long live a free Australia.

Thank you, Janet Shay. I will return to this topic later today—the interests of Australian people at a time of threats to our security. This is what matters. The security of Australians is paramount to One Nation, and it should be paramount to every member of the Senate.