'Put Hanson Last!'
By Chris Dawson
and Nick Everett
BRISBANE — Around 800 people participated in a "Put One Nation last" rally here on June 7. The action was in response to the state Coalition's deals with the far-right for the June 13 state election. Both the National and Liberal parties allocated their preferences to Pauline Hanson's One Nation in every seat bar one. One Nation allocated preferences to the Coalition in at least 18 seats.
Aboriginal activist Les Malezer outlined the poor record of previous state governments — both Labor and Liberal — on indigenous land rights and the impact of the Hanson "debate" on the direction of the major parties' native title policies. Aboriginal elder Eunice Watson added her voice to calls for a rejection of Hanson's racism.
Tasmanian Greens Senator Bob Brown noted the Labor Party's willingness to concede on key accepts of Howard's 10-point plan. He argued that One Nation was being used by the major parties to distract attention from debate around environmental policies. Brown also reported that both major parties failed to support a motion he put forward in the Senate condemning the racist policies of One Nation.
Democratic Socialist candidate for South Brisbane, Coral Wynter, called for "a real alternative to the policies of One Nation". "A serious alternative to One Nation must provide lasting solutions to an environmental and social crisis and involve a continuing campaign against racism, not just before an election."
Participants marched to state parliament house, where a speak-out was held.