Over the weekend, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson outlined what Australia would look like should she ever become Prime Minister.
Predictably, some of her ideas were slightly terrifying (she’s keen to abolish the GST, so see ya Medicare!), some were just nonsensical (she’d like to launch a royal commission into Islam. Just a really expensive, taxpayer-funded commission to check things out…), but there was one comment that stood out as far more problematic and worrying than the rest.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail about her politics, the 62-year-old Senator claimed, “I don’t change my tune, whichever way the polls are going. If you look at what I said 20 years ago, it’s exactly what I’m saying today."
Hanson was clearly proud in saying that. Proud to say that despite two decades having passed, she still holds the same views that she did when she was first elected to the federal parliament of Australia.
The big problem with that, though, is that the country has changed.
20 years ago, the majority of the country didn't yet support a national apology to the stolen generation. There weren't even any indigenous MPs or senators in the parliament back then.
They didn't see the importance in supporting marriage equality or climate change science.
Mamamia Out Loud weighs in on the controversial Pauline Hanson bag. Post continues.
It's unlikely that a female prime minister would have been elected at the time. Nor would we have seen major parties take active steps to attempt to create a greater gender balance among parliamentarians.
It's human nature for people to change their minds. It's a politician's job to ensure that if those changes are felt by the majority of their electorate, they are reflected in parliament.
By refusing change, Hanson is essentially refusing to move One Nation or Australia forward. She's forgotten that as a senator, she works for her electorate, not the other way around. And as the head of a party, she works for the each and every one of her voters.
And while it's true some of Hanson's supporters may not be in favour of major social progression, she needs to realise that a huge number of Australians are. And if she's hoping to become Prime Minister one day, it might be time to stop living in the past and listen to what the polls have to say.
Top Comments
Someone does not like Pauline ..............
"It's human nature for people to change their minds." Wow completely in opposition to actual research. In fact the higher the 'intelligence' level the less likely you will change your mind despite compelling evidence you are wrong. Why? You are simply much more skillful than those around you at convincing yourself you are not only right but are also more convinced your are.
For instance "she’s keen to abolish the GST, so see ya Medicare!" Despite the absence of any evidence a person's view as to the efficacy or not of GST as a source of revenue determines you will or will not seek to abolish universal health care-Medicare the author of this article I am sure will persist in believing it is the case or something worse in regards Pauline Hanson, and will persist in believing despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary her own predjudice, bias, beliefs can surely dramatically change when confronted with the truth as to her error(s).
You Can't Handle the Truth!
Join the human race.