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Since October 1995

Friday 9th May 1997

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Pauline Hanson's One Nation Official home page.
Pauline Hanson's Offical Home Page.
Extracts from Pauline Hanson's book "THE TRUTH".

International:

Howard said, "I know why some Australians have stopped to listen to the member for Oxley, I say to them, however, she has no answers to your problems.

"The Hanson cure would be worse than the disease.

"I want to make clear that, under my Government, Australia's future will be built on hope, openness, confidence and Australian values - not a sour, bitter, narrow-minded view of our past and our future.

"She (Ms Hanson) cannot evade responsibility for the consequences of her statements."

He then went on to say that Ms Hanson was:

• wrong to suggest Aborigines were not disadvantaged;
• wrong when she suggested Australia was in danger of being swamped by Asians;
• wrong when she denigrated foreign investment;
• wrong when she claimed Australia was headed for civil war.

"None of these goals will be achieved through empty populism or cheap sloganeering. None will be achieved through bitter and divisive recriminations."

Talking about our Asian connection Howard said, "It means valuing the migrant communities. It is impossible to imagine a prosperous and successful Australia which is not deeply engaged with Asia."

Labor Opposition leader, Kim Beazley, said that Mr Howard's comments were made about seven months to late.

Ms Hanson responded to Mr Howard's comments while opening the Ipswich Agricultural Show with the comment that he should get himself out of Kirribili house and mix with the people of Australia to hear what they are saying...

Later that night Ms Hanson was given the opportunity to respond to Mr Howard's comments on the ABC's Lateline program.

She took the opportunity to rebutt Mr Howard's comments saying that:

• she would reveal her policies when she was ready to and not before she had much more consultation with mainstream Australians.
• she wanted equality for all Australians not "nations within the nation".
• districts such as *Cabramatta were like little Asian outposts with very high concentrations of a particular nationality - in this case Vietnamese - with even some of the street signs in the suburbs being in Vietnamese.
• the media in Australia had distorted her position on policies for their own (unknown) agenda.
• the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures of 5% Asian population in Australia were wrong as many Asians first migrated to New Zealand for two years and then moved to Australia as "New Zealanders".
• foreign companies were tearing the soul out of pay as you earn tax payers with Au$200 billion in taxes being lost each year... enough to repay the nation's entire debt in just three years.

Following the interview with Ms Hanson, the interviewer spoke to West Australian based independent MP Paul Filing who had organised her highly successful visit to that state last Saturday.

Filing made several comments in support of One Nation but perhaps the most telling was that despite the media's claim that Ms Hanson's comments had effected tourist trade it was clear that the number of Asian tourists to Australia had dramatically increased over the last 12 months.

Political:

In fact Howard's credibility is becoming rather stretched at this time with Aboriginal leaders rejecting his ten point plan - saying that its passing through parliament would end reconciliation between the indigenous population and the rest of Australia.

Howard said last night, "Any suggestion by anybody that in some way there was a huge change made, or indeed any change (to the ten point plan), is nonsense.

"I think what you have at the moment is that some people are playing word games in order to explain away their behaviour and explain away their conduct."

Adding to Howard's woes are the remarks by Queensland's (National Party) State Premier, Rob Borbidge who has had enough of Mr Howard and his attempt to resolve the native title issue.

He said last night that he was "as confused as you are" regarding Howard's intentions but that it was up to the Prime Minister to clarify the situation.

"He (Howard) doesn't seem to ring me any more.... it's his problem, it's his solution, he knows where to find me," he said.

Extensive political commentary and links can be found on Palmer's Australian Politics page.

You say:

Business:

"We're starting to see both the volumes and prices (of building materials) moving in Australia. In the first three months of the year, it was really infrastructure and commercial work, which has accelerated a bit. But definitely in April, we're starting to see the first signs in housing."

Sport:

Date: May 8, 1997
Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Send an email to Susie Maroney

Subject: SUSIE MARONEY SWIM - MEDIA ALERT

May 8, 1997
5:00 PM

Susie Maroney's swim from Cuba to Florida has been POSTPONED by at least 48 hours. Strong ESE winds and the approaching cold front have made the "weather window" too small. Susie's mental and physical condtion are excellent and she is determined to make the crossing "land to land." We will inform you of the new departure time once confirmed.

Sponsors of the event are: The American Journal, Channel 7 Australia, SKYCELL, SB Technologies, Kreep Krauly Pool Cleaning Systems, Yachtronics, "Reel Lady" Charters, and Ever Onward.

Earlier Press Release

Susie is in high spirits and eager to begin her swim, however the weather continues to be an issue and may force her to delay her start. Winds have been blowing out of the east from 15 to 20 knots

creating rough sea conditions in the Florida Straits. Tomorrow morning a meeting is scheduled with all of her team members to discuss current weather data and make a decision possibly postponing Susie's swim.

If conditions are satisfactory Susie is scheduled to enter the water between 12:00 AM and 1:00 AM EST MAY 9, 1997. As soon as she swims beyond the 12 mile Cuban Territorial Waters they will be joined by several boats, one of which will be carrying her physician, Dr. Stein.

Any decisions regarding the start time and weather delays will be reported here immediately.

Please also see new page of frequently asked questions

Personal trivia, from the global office:

Perfect after the soft rains that have been falling over the past few days.

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