We need Hanson like a hole in the head

Jim McIlroy, Brisbane

"The huge publicity circus surrounding Pauline Hanson's surprise announcement of her candidature as an independent in the Queensland Senate race, in contrast to the absolute refusal of the big-business media, in particular the Murdoch-owned Courier-Mail, to even mention our unique all-Aboriginal ticket for the Socialist Alliance in this state, proves the racist and right-wing bias of the mainstream media in this country", Sam Watson, Socialist Alliance candidate for the Senate said on September 18.

"The media went hysterical over Hanson's rise from political death, despite the fact that all her racist policies have been adopted by the Coalition government and she is only a shadow of the force she once was. Yet the media all ignored the challenge to Hanson's divisive ideas, launched by our all-Indigenous team of Nicole Clevens and myself under the banner of the Socialist Alliance.

"Australia needs Pauline Hanson back in parliament like a hole in the head. We have quite enough attacks on Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, asylum-seekers, working people and the poor by this Howard regime, without Hanson there adding fuel to the racist fire.

"Our all-Aboriginal Senate team for the Socialist Alliance in Queensland will do our best to advance policies which defend the interests of Indigenous people, and combat racism in all its forms. We will be out speaking to Murri people, urging them to support our campaign and highlighting demands for a genuine Indigenous representative voice to replace ATSIC, for a treaty to bring about real reconciliation, and for an end to racist violence and discrimination against ATSI people", Watson said.

From Green Left Weekly, September 22, 2004.

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From GLW issue 599