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

I move:

That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education (Senator Cash) to a question without notice asked by Senator Hanson today relating to immigration and national security.

The answer that was given by Minister Cash with regard to my question about refugees coming from African and Middle Eastern countries who have been convicted of terrorist and terrorist-related offences was the weakest and most pathetic answer that the Australian people could have been given. Last week we saw another terrorist attack on the streets of Melbourne, as we saw with Man Monis, a former refugee. All I asked was: would the government consider not allowing people from the countries where these terrorists are coming from into Australia? That's what the Australian people want. People want security. I'm sick and tired of the rhetoric on this floor of parliament from both major political parties. They say they're worried about national security in Australia, yet they do nothing about it. They give the answer that they have a non-discriminatory immigration policy. The fact is that the Sudanese have the highest crime rate and highest representation in our prisons, but we have non-discriminatory entry into Australia. Well, it's not good enough as far as the Australian people are concerned. They're in fear—fear to walk our streets, fear to go on public transport, fear for their loved ones. And I think it's an absolute disgrace that this parliament is not prepared to stand up and say it how it is. It was a disgraceful answer from Minister Cash with regard to this question of mine, and people deserve better.

Question agreed to.