I grew up in Brisbane, not an hour’s drive from the fish-and-chip shop made famous by Pauline Hanson. I haven’t lived in Queensland since a week after my 18th birthday, but it’s still a huge part of me.
There are lots of things I love about my home state. I love that shoes are optional when you have to go to the shops. I love how much we enjoy eating pineapple in savoury settings. I love winning the State of Origin pretty much every year (this year we won the series on my birthday, so thanks Queensland).
But I don’t love Pauline Hanson. To me, she is the worst of our fears and idiosyncrasies and bravado and bluster all rolled into one.
She is a person who can in one breath talk about the Australian way of life, and then in the next completely ignore the fundamental idea of religious tolerance upon which our society and institutions are built.
Watch Pauline Hanson discuss Islam in her press conference. Post continues after video.
At a press conference earlier today, Hanson got very cranky. She objected to reporters asking questions about her policies and said: “You’re standing here having a go at me because I stand up for my culture, my way of life and my country.”
Top Comments
Australia's Donald Trump.
you lost me when you said ...
"On Saturday night I grew sadder and sadder thinking about the forces unleashed in our society by voters in my home state."
A small percentage of voters from every state voted pretty much the same way for similar reasons for other reps with similar values.. It's just that the one from here has a bigger louder name. Don't blame Queenslanders.. It's not a banana bender specific issue..
Oh yes... and the one about optional shoes @ shops??.. where were you shopping??.. Yes, it was meant to be a giggle, but really?