By Pip Hinman
"The announcement last week by Queensland Liberal Party president Steve Wilson that his party would direct preferences to Pauline Hanson at the next election reveals the connection between them. Hanson is the Liberals' stalking horse: given her extreme right-wing agenda, the government's seems positively mild in comparison", commented Reihana Mohideen, convener of Australian Asians Against Further Intimidation and national executive member of the Democratic Socialist Party.
While a recent Australian poll indicates that support for Hanson's One Nation party is growing, Hanson would still be dependent on preferences to retain her seat. The latest Morgan poll puts voter support for Hanson in Oxley at 36%, down from 49% at the federal election.
"Kim Beazley said that Labor would direct preferences to the Liberals ahead of One Nation candidates, but this is far from enough", said Mohideen.
"If Labor really is serious about fighting Hanson's racist politics, it would have to reverse its position to reduce immigration and restrict Aboriginal self-determination and land rights. Labor has also had a hand in creating the Hanson phenomenon: after more than a decade of attacks on jobs, wages, welfare, health and education, Hanson is tapping into the resulting anxiety, fear and discontent."
Mohideen will join Aboriginal activist and the former Racism No! candidate in the 1996 WA elections, Yaluritja (Clarrie Isaacs), in the national "Justice Tour: Fighting Hanson's Racism", sponsored by Green Left Weekly. See pages 26-27 for meeting details.