Source: The Guardian

By Katharine Murphy Political editor

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.

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.”

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