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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (7 May) . . Page.. 1012 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

My initial view of Pauline Hanson, when she first emerged, was that she was simplistic and very narrow in her thinking. This book confirms that. But the book also shows that the notions expressed and the support she is gathering are dangerous; they are reactionary; they are divisive. Pauline Hanson said in the book:

I know in my heart I'm not a racist.

She has often said that. But I do not think that case can be sustained. All the expressions show otherwise. She also said:

I worked hard for my land. No one gave it to me.

Her former husband may dispute that. But I do not deny that Pauline Hanson would have worked hard. She ran a small business, a fish and chips shop, and that is a reputable business to run. In that sort of small business she would have worked hard. There is no question about that. But then I think she moves into difficult territory. Let me quote directly another comment she made in one of her speeches. She rejects "the privileges Aborigines enjoy over other Australians". That is a source of resentment. Then why did she not say something different? Why did she not say something about recognising the disadvantages that Aborigines suffer? What privileges? Why not look at the disadvantages? I dispute her notion that she should use the word "privileges" when talking of Aborigines. Therein lies the resentment of Pauline Hanson and of others in the community. I have seen it often; I am sure you have.

Positive discrimination has long been a strong element of public policy in Australia. Let me give an example of how it can wrongly induce resentment. I was once active in politics in North Queensland and I saw the resentment aroused in some in the community when houses for Aboriginal people were built in the town of Mareeba. They were built across the way from a score of small cottages which were built for pensioners and veterans, and which were meanly and poorly built many years before and were in a very sad state. Quite rightly, something should have been done about those cottages. But the resentment amongst some in that community about the apparent disparity between the Aboriginal housing - new and fine - and the pensioners and veterans cottages was disturbing. I had trouble convincing people that this positive discrimination was necessary. It has long been a basic part of Australian society that positive discrimination recognises that we must fight to overcome disadvantage. That is what Pauline Hanson and some in the community resist.

While Pauline Hanson resents "the privileges Aborigines enjoy over other Australians" - they are not my words; they are hers - she takes no account of the privileges she and other Australians enjoy. She takes no account of our nation's history of overthrow of Aborigines and many decades of neglect of them. Let me give you another quote direct from her papers:

I draw the line when I must continue paying for something that happened over 200 years ago.

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