Letter to the Queensland Times on 2nd August 1997by Ian Rintoul (right) spokesman for the
International Socialist Organisation.
Letter to the Queensland Times on 2nd August 1997
Heading: Consider victims.
It is a pity the concerns of pro-Hansonites like Scott Balson (QT July 19) do not extend to the victims of racist violence.
It is no coincidence that Australia is the one country in the world in which incidents of anti-Semitism have increased in the past year.
Since Pauline Hanson’s maiden speech, complaints to the Human Rights Commission of racial abuse and assault have increased three-fold. Does Scott Balson or, more to the point, Pauline Hanson condone these attacks on Aborigines, Asians and Jews?
Hanson’s consistent comments that migrants are responsible for crime, disease and unemployment are precisely what lie behind the increase in racist attacks.
Views encouraging race hatred have no more right to ‘free speech’ than those encouraging or advocating rape or child abuse. And how dare Scott Balson talk about defending democracy. It was Pauline Hanson who said she would represent Aboriginal people.
While Hanson pretends to be concerned about jobs, we have yet to hear of her supporting the democratic rights of workers such as the Hunter Valley miners fighting to defend their jobs and living standards.
As to the ‘extremists’ organising the demonstrations against One Nation, the International Socialists are proud to be part of the tens of thousands from ‘mainstream’ Australia who have protested against One Nation.
Just as we were part of the tens of thousands who protested against Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s ban on political street marches. It is no surprise that today Bjelke-Petersen is one of Hanson’s admirers.
The anti-racist protests have already resulted in declining support for One Nation. But people will go on protesting because they understand that Pauline Hanson has caused too much damage already to let her racism go unchallenged.
Ian Rintoul, Ashfield, Sydney, International Socialist Organisation.
Scott Balson's letter dated 19th July. Scott Balson's response to above letter by Rintoul.