By Marina Cameron
Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has found at least one young person interested in helping drive its racist politics. At the first annual general meeting of One Nation in Brisbane on October 4, 22-year-old Vanessa Stewart was named as third vice-president, alongside David Ettridge and Paul Trewartha.
This leadership team will be responsible for expanding the party's membership and the growth of new branches, and Stewart is expected to play a special role in establishing the youth wing of One Nation. Young Nation is expected to be launched early next year.
The Australian reported on October 1 that workers at One Nation headquarters have received only about 300 inquiries from people aged between 15 and 25 since the idea of Young Nation was first floated at the party's launch in Newcastle in May.
Resistance national coordinator Sean Healy told Green Left Weekly, “While there will obviously be some young people who agree with Hanson's views, the lack of interest in Young Nation is a healthy sign. I think a lot of young people are aware that society is facing some very big problems, but that the solutions put forward by Hanson will only breed hatred and violence.
“Resistance is a socialist youth organisation, and five times the number of people who have inquired about Young Nation join Resistance during orientation weeks at university campuses each year.
“We intend to keep campaigning against racism, encouraging the anti-racist sentiment amongst young people and convincing young people that the racist policies put forward by the Liberal and National parties -- cutting immigration, attacking native title, environmental racism -- also need to be combated.”
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