Put cameras in mosques: Aus. senator

Australia is being "swamped by Asians", mosques need to have security cameras, halal-certified food is funding terrorism and "Communist China" shouldn't own Australia's electricity.

These are the words of the woman who is now one of Australia's most powerful politicians, newly-elected senator Pauline Hanson.

Hanson was confirmed elected to the Australian Senate last week, along with three other members of her One Nation party, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

The surprise result makes hers the fourth largest party in the Senate, meaning the government will need her support to pass all legislation, unless they turn to the left-wing Labor and Greens parties.

With 78 overall in the Australian Senate, and 39 required to pass or block legislation, Hanson's four One Nation senators can join with the 35 Opposition and Green party members to stop any legislation.

Among the policies of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party are surveillance cameras in mosques, banning the burqa, stopping Muslim immigration to Australia and holding a national inquiry into Islam.

Australia's Muslim community is deeply concerned by the rise of Hanson's party, while Australian National University School of Politics professor John Warhurst told CNN her control of the Senate could drag Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull towards right-wing policies.

"What Pauline Hanson (did) was capture the floating percentage of voters who wanted nothing to do with either major party," he said.

Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party did not respond to a request for comment.

 

Author: 
CNN