Pauline Hanson Warns Australia “Risks Being Swamped By Muslims"

    Hanson opened her maiden speech with two words: "I'm back."

    Alice Workman
    by Alice Workman

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, Australia

    "I'm back," Pauline Hanson exclaimed with a smile, as she used her first speech back in parliament to wage a war on "aggressive multiculturalism".

    Mick Tsikas / AAPIMAGE

    The leader of the far-right One Nation party didn't pull any punches during her first speech to the Senate on Wednesday.

    "We are now in danger of being swamped by Muslims whose culture is incompatible with our own," she said.

    The remarks echoed her first inaugural speech 20 years ago, when as the member for the Queensland seat of Oxley she said: “I and most Australians want our immigration policy radically reviewed and that of multiculturalism abolished. I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians."

    Alice Workman @workmanalice

    Hanson, 1996- we are in danger of being swamped by Asians Hanson, 2016- we are in danger of being swamped by Muslims

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    Hanson described her 1996 speech as "still relevant today" – but instead of Asians, the focus was on Muslims.

    Mick Tsikas / AAPIMAGE

    Hanson spoke about her fear of Sharia law and called for a ban on the burqa and a royal commission into Islam.

    "We will be living under Sharia law and treated as second-class citizens with second-class rights," she warned, "if we continue with the attitude 'she'll be right mate'."

    She claimed many Australians live in fear of terrorism, foreign takeover of the farming sector, and migrants coming in the front door and the back door (a reference to New Zealand).

    "If you are not prepared to come to Australia and obey our laws, then I suggest you go back where you came from," she added.

    "I'll take you to the airport and wave you goodbye."

    The divisive speech sparked a walk-out by the nine Greens senators.

    Mick Tsikas / AAPIMAGE

    "Don't come back," a One Nation supporter heckled them from the public gallery as they left.

    BuzzFeed News understands the Greens senators had discussed walking out if Hanson "crossed a line" prior to her speech.

    The former fish 'n' chip shop owner, who was once sent to prison for "trumped-up" electoral fraud, reminisced on her time outside politics, describing herself as "Australia's first political prisoner".

    Supplied.

    Hanson, who was once runner-up on Dancing With the Stars, said her daughter describes her return to politics after 18 years as a "John Farnham comeback", she told the chamber.

    She finished the speech with two sentences and a gentle dig at her outspoken colleague Derryn Hinch.

    "I have a lot more to say, but I have six years in this place. Sorry, Derryn, you only have three."