By Justin Harman

When Pauline Hanson wants something done, the Howard government is usually soon there doing it for her. Cuts to ATSIC, the immigration intake: all her wishes are being fulfilled -- all, according to a recent New Idea article, except one.

Pauline Hanson, it seems, is just looking for love.

The article in the October edition explains that, despite her “growing list of secret admirers” and the constant “gifts, flowers and touching letters of support”, Hanson has “little time in her busy schedule for a love-life”.

Although she would “love to have a new man in her life”, dating, says the member for Oxley, is difficult. “Circumstances are so that I'm not like everyone else. It's hard.”

New Idea goes on to reveal the truth about the life of poor Pauline. Not only is she “facing life alone”, but the pressure of work has forced her to send her children to boarding school and to increase her personal security and not go out alone. These changes are treated as unique to Hanson, just because she stood up for what she believes in.

In reality, the pressures she faces are not some special form of victimisation. Most women under capitalism at some point experience violence or feel threatened. Most, if they choose to have a career, struggle to fulfil the traditional demands of wife and mother as well.

Things are much easier for Hanson: she at least has government-provided security services to make her feel safe. She can also send her kids to boarding school, unlike most working mothers, who -- especially with cuts to child-care and other services -- have to struggle to work and look after children.

That big parliamentary salary and super fund probably help in the loneliness stakes as well.

Perhaps the most offensive part of the article is found under the heading “Pauline grooms her image”. Here New Idea describes how “even in her less glamorous days working in a fish and chip shop, she wanted to look good” and quotes Hanson as proclaiming, “I always wore make-up in the shop”. It doesn't say what that did for the flavour of the chips.

It also mentions her range of suits and exercise program and states that, although she used to make her own clothes, “Now her schedule forces her to go shopping, just like other career women”. Apparently, it is only career women who are busy enough not to have time to make their own clothing.

Worse is the insinuation that being a leader of the racist far right is “glamorous”. The article glosses over the offensively right-wing, nationalistic politics of Hanson in a way that is degrading to other women. In an effort to humanise Hanson and get other women to relate to her, New Idea has trotted out plenty of sexist stereotyping.

New Idea's caricature is extremely offensive when contrasted to the real position of working women. It also says a great deal about the common interests of those who promote sexism and racism.

This article was posted on the Green Left Weekly Home Page.
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