The crazy train never stops when Pauline Hanson's around.Well known, infamous Queenslander and all around dangerous dillettante Pauline Hanson showed up to Parliamentary Question Time wearing a burqa today. Knowing her, it was exclusively to mock Muslims and make light of the fact that burqas are not forbidden within Parliament House (the "security reason" oft quoted by people who look at life in absolutes).
The Attorney General, George Brandis, normally a nincompoop of the highest order (in my eyes at least), was outraged. He stood up and gave her a withering tirade. Responses included:
Liberal Senator for Tasmania, Jonathon Duniam (don't worry, I've never heard of him either): "oh, what on earth?" before Hanson had been identified by the head of the Senate
Attorney General (and Senator) Brandis, also Liberal Party: "To ridicule that community, to drive it into a corner, to mock its religious garments is an appalling thing to do. I would ask you to reflect on that"
Many Labor and Greens senators reportedly gave Brandis a standing ovation for his comments, while Senator Wong, of the Labor Party said "It is one thing to wear religious dress as a sincere act of faith, there is another to wear it as a stunt here in the chamber."
In a statement later, the head of the Greens Party, Richard di Natale, congratulated Brandis for his "strong, impassioned, and personal response" and stated "I want to thank you (Brandis) for showing leadership in this chamber, leadership that is so often lacking in this Parliament,"
Nick Xenophon, of the Nick Xenophon Team, a minor, moderate party that holds moderate power in South Australia said that Hanson displayed "toxic behaviour" and praised Brandis for "speaking like a true statesman". Also: "He displayed the leadership and clarity of purpose that this country needs on issues such as this. Good on you, George"
"In an extremely rare event," Greens and Labor senators and crossbenchers, including Derryn Hinch, applauded and gave Brandis an ovation for his strong response. Liberal senators did not give him a standing ovation, but around half joined in on the applause.
All in all, our government and senate might be dysfunctional and divided, but at least we can unite in condemnation of shitheads.