Chinese community combats Hanson

Chinese community combats Hanson

By Graham Matthews

BRISBANE — Following the April 11 launch of Pauline Hanson's racist One Nation party in Ipswich, sections of the Australian-Chinese community have lodged a protest with the Australian Electoral Commission against the party's registration.

Dr Anthony Lee, spokesperson for the Queensland Chinese Community Voice, described Hanson's book "propaganda feeding on fear: a kind of mental cannibalism that feeds on human ignorance".

Asked how Hanson's racist campaign has affected the Chinese community, Lee told Green Left Weekly, "A lot of people in the media have asked me whether there has been an increase in violence, or in abusive phone-calls against Asian people. Do we have to wait for violence before we raise the alarm? There are parallels between the situation now with Hanson, and the situation before World War II in Germany with the Jews."

Lee pointed out, "Hanson's main complaint is betrayal". This lends itself to scapegoating "against Asians, Aboriginal people or anyone.

"Hanson's immediate goal is to stop immigration, except for those who are investing. This blames unemployment directly on immigration, despite the fact that studies show there is no correlation.

"She also blames migrants for bringing their problems into this country. Migration has an impact on all areas of Australian society. She's only focusing on one area, which is divisive as well as false.

To combat Hanson, Lee said, "I believe we should target the media rather than take it to the courts. We could well put in place a law to stop this party. But if they're clever enough, they'll find a loophole.

"We need to address the disillusionment; politicians are to blame through their economic policies."

Chinese Community Voice supports the rights of Aborigines, Lee said. "At the rally last November in Ipswich, we marched with Aborigines and supported Aboriginal rights. We support the continuation of native title."

From GLW issue 273