I really did not want to touch this poison but the media is going nuts so here it is:
Queensland senator Fraser Anning has praised the White Australia Policy and called for a plebiscite as “the final solution to the immigration problem” in the most inflammatory maiden speech to an Australian Parliament since One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s in 1996.
The Katter’s Australian Party senator, formerly of One Nation, used his first speech to the Senate on Tuesday to lament the demise of “our predominantly European identity” of the 1950s and ’60s.
The Greens:
The Greens will absolutely be supporting this motion. We are a proud nation of immigrants. The things that bring us together are far more important and far more significant than the things that divide us. We should be very proud of the multicultural story here in Australia. Multiculturalism is often framed in language around people from multicultural communities needing to accept Australian values, but there’s something much deeper going on. What that means is that people who come here from right around the world actually enrich our values. They make us better. They make us think more deeply about our national character. They help us to reflect on those things which we can learn from those communities that come here, make a contribution and make Australia a better place.
Of course, we know that despite the fact that multiculturalism is embraced by the wider community, it’s something we never have to stop fighting for. If recent events have shown us anything, it’s that we have to redouble our efforts as a parliament to continue fighting for that great multicultural experiment that began several decades ago, which has made us the most successful multicultural nation on earth. That’s why that speech yesterday was just so disappointing. What it meant was that Australia was forced to confront the fact that there are individuals who will seek to exploit questions of race, ethnicity and religion for base political motives. We are very pleased that we are coming in here today and re-committing to the notion of a multicultural Australia. It has never been more important.
And One Nation unite:
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 that, as Senator Hinch said, it is like hearing Pauline Hanson on steroids – I take offence to that, because – why relate it back to me? I think that it’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. He delivered it, but he is responsible for it. The speech was written by a Richard Howard, straight from Goebbels’ handbook from Nazi Germany. Richard Howard worked for the military propaganda specialist. He was one of the staffers when Richard Howard actually did work in Senator Malcolm Roberts’ office and was sacked out of that office. He actually was one of the staff – he did ask me for a position in my office after Senator Roberts lost his position in this parliament, which I refused to take him on. When he then went on with – 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.
When Richard actually 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. Now, as I said, I’m appalled by Fraser Anning’s speech. I have always spoken up on issues with regards to our country and I will stand by those views that I have. We are a multi-racial society. I have 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
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. And I would like to say that our member for Mirani, Stephen Andrews, he’s the first South Sea islander to hold a position in parliament as MP for Queensland, so I think you need to devote your criticisms elsewhere. You say that you sat here through the speech, and you actually now are appalled at the fact you 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? The fact is, if you were so appalled, you should have got up and walked out of the place. And the thing is, that now that it’s turned and the public are now having a say about this, you’re here on the floor of parliament, I do support the censure. I don’t agree with it either. When Senator Cameron makes comments about my racist comments in this parliament, what are the racist comments?
To make comments about our immigration, that we have a right to say, the numbers we have in Australia, that is very important to our future and wellbeing of this country. And I will continue to stand by it. So… What I would say to people of this… Don’t, because you may have your grievances and 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, he went and joined Katter’s party. I haven’t heard one of you mention Katter’s party. I want to ask the Labor party, do you intend to put Bob Katter’s party last … Please refer to Mr Katter by his title. Sorry, Mr Katter. You want to go and ask, where are you going to put your preferences now?
Is the Labor party going to put the Katter Party last on the how to vote cards? This will be quite interesting how they’re going to put their how to vote cards.
As I said to you, I have always advocated for equality, right across the board, for everyone in this country. I have my views about different things, and I made them quite clear on the floor of parliament, the a lot of Australians support my views. But I do believe that Fraser Anning, Senator Anning, went too far in his speech yesterday, and it’s unacceptable, it’s not One Nation policy, we do not stand by this, I was the one not in the chamber, I never shook his hand and I do not stand by it, and I support the censure motion.
Quite and enough said.
