The Greens' nine senators walked out of Pauline Hanson's maiden speech to parliament after she warned that Australia risks being "swamped by Muslims".
“We are now in danger of being swamped by Muslims whose culture is incompatible with our own,” she said, in comments echoing her 1996 maiden speech in the lower house.
BuzzFeed News understands Greens senators had discussed walking out if Hanson "crossed a line" prior to her speech. When asked what the line was that prompted the walkout, a source said there were "a few".
Shortly after the walkout, Greens leader Richard di Natale had this to say.
Together, our MPs have left Senator Pauline Hansonâs 1st speech because weâll call out racism wherever it occurs, including Parliament.