The One Nation senator uses her maiden speech to new Senate to reiterate fears about multiculturalism first aired in her infamous 1996 address • Read the full text: Hanson’s maiden speech to the Australian Senate

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This article is more than 4 years old

In her first speech to the federal parliament in 1996, Pauline Hanson warned “we are in danger of being swamped by Asians” – a line that became her political signature.



In her triumphant return to politics in 2016, the designated enemy has changed. “Now we are in danger of being swamped by Muslims,” Hanson, the leader of the One Nation party, told the Australian Senate in her first speech on Wednesday.

During the highly anticipated Hanson reboot – she attempted a few jokes and prompted the Greens senators to walk out of the chamber en masse – there was also a notable omission.

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In 1996, Hanson dwelled extensively on what she derisively termed “the Aboriginal industry”, but in 2016, the One Nation leader devoted not one word of her speech to the subject of Indigenous Australians.

Hanson dwelled instead on globalisation and immigration. “I call for a halt to further immigration,” the Queensland senator said.

After declaring Australia was in danger of being swamped by Muslims, Hanson said if migrants were not prepared to come to Australia, assimilate, and accept Australian values, “I suggest you go back to where you came from”.

“If you are not prepared to become Australian and give this country this undivided loyalty, obey our laws and respect our country and way of life, then I suggest you go back where you came from,” she said.

Hanson said she was happy to assist the process of relocation, should that aid the process. “If it would be of any help, I’ll take you to the airport and wave you goodbye with sincere best wishes.”

The One Nation leader noted she was happy to welcome migrants who assimilated. “I welcome them from the bottom of my heart.”

But her argument seemed to be that Muslims were incapable of adjusting to life in a secular democracy like Australia, because Islam was more than a religion, it had a political agenda that was about regulating the lives of individuals, and promulgating a masculine and misogynist culture.

Without producing any statistical evidence, she claimed that Muslims were more prominent in organised crime. She said the unemployment rate, the prison population, and organised crime rates were higher among Muslim populations. “Australians in general are more fearful.”

“Islam sees itself as a theocracy, Islam does not believe in democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, or freedom of assembly,” she said.

“Australia is now seeing changes in suburbs predominately Muslim. Tolerance towards other Australians is no longer the case. Our law courts are disrespected and our prisons have become breeding grounds for Muslims to radicalise inmates.”

“Muslims are imprisoned at almost three times the average rate. The rate of unemployed and public dependency is two to three times greater than the national average. Muslims are prominent in organised crime with associated violence and drug dealing.”

“Anti-social behaviour is rampant, fuelled by hyper-masculine and misogynist culture. Multiple social surveys find that neighbours of Muslim settlements are suffering from collapsing social cohesion and fear of crime.”

If Muslim immigration continued then Australians would find themselves living under Sharia law, Hanson said.

The One Nation leader said no further mosques or Islamic schools should be built until the current “security challenges” passed – meaning incidences of terrorism. Hanson said Islamic facilities already established in the country should be subject to monitoring.

Addressing multiculturalism more broadly, Hanson said Australians had never been permitted to vote on whether we became a multi-racial society. Hanson claimed the Australian economy wasn’t stimulated by immigration – an orthodoxy considered central to economic thinking – it was stimulated by government infrastructure projects.

Hanson contended – again, without supporting evidence – that high immigration only benefited the banks and multinationals. She argued that immigration was placing intolerable strain on essential services, like hospitals and schools, which she said were “bursting at the seams”.

Hanson said foreign investment was a source of regret, particularly when it came from China and its communist government. She declared Australia was vulnerable to a foreign takeover, and Australians had fought in wars and given their lives to prevent foreign takeovers.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Greens senators walk out of the Senate chamber as Queensland Pauline Hanson delivers her first speech . Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

She declared Australian assets should not be for sale. “I warn this government and future government, you never miss the water until the well runs dry,” she said.

She called for the adoption of an Australia identity card with an electronic fingerprint and a photograph to stop welfare fraud, which she said was a higher priority than addressing privacy concerns of the citizenry. “If we are going to control the deficit we have to stop the thieves.”

Hanson also highlighted her long running criticisms of the family court and the child support system, which she suggested was biased towards women who wanted sole custody of their children.

The One Nation leader began her address to the Senate chamber on Wednesday evening by casting her mind back to 1998, when she called across the chamber: “I will be back.”

She noted parliamentary colleagues taunted her at that time by saying she would not return to politics. Hanson said it had taken numerous elections, countless legal battles, and doing a stint in maximum security on “trumped up charges” to navigate her way back to professional politics.

“Some call it persistence and tenacity. My daughter calls it a Johnny Farnham-style comeback,” Hanson said – and a desire “not to let the bastards get you down”.

Pauline Hanson's maiden speech to the Australian Senate – full text Read more

“I have two words for you,” Hanson told the Senate chamber Wednesday night. “I’m back.”

Hanson noted this time, she was not alone, there were now three One Nation colleagues. “As a strong united team I guarantee we will make a difference.”

She said her speech to parliament in 1996 remained as “relevant” today as it was during her parliamentary debut. She said the fundamentals about Australia’s problems had not changed, leaders just lacked the intestinal fortitude to take on political correctness.

Hanson appeared completely delighted and gratified by the Greens walk out, noting at one point she could feel the Greens “cringing ... oh no, they’ve walked out”, she said with a chuckle.

She also noted that fellow Senate newcomer, Derryn Hinch, had remained awake throughout her speech. Hinch fell asleep during an address by the governor-general to the opening of the 45th parliament.