Recent remarks by Senator Pauline Hanson, leader of the One Nation party, have sparked debate about safety and belonging in Sydney's suburbs. Hanson has identified Lakemba, a suburb in the city's southwest with a significant Muslim population, as a place where people might feel unsafe. This statement has drawn attention due to the political history of One Nation and its focus on immigration and multiculturalism.
Senator Hanson's comments were made during a television interview where she discussed areas in Australia she believes some people might feel uncomfortable visiting. When pressed for specifics, she named Lakemba, a Sydney suburb. She elaborated that her concern stems from a feeling that "people can't go into certain suburbs in this country" and that in her own experience, "you feel unwanted, you do not want to be there." This follows a previous statement where Hanson had suggested there were no "good Muslims," a remark she later partially withdrew.
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Historical Context of Hanson's Stance
Pauline Hanson and her party, One Nation, have a long-standing platform critical of immigration and multiculturalism. For decades, these issues have been central to their electoral campaigns. The party's popularity has seen fluctuations, with recent reports indicating a surge in support.
Key Policies: One Nation's historical policies have included calls for a Royal Commission into Islam, bans on head coverings, and halting Muslim immigration.
Public Statements: Hanson has frequently linked immigration to issues like housing prices and wage stagnation. She has also been critical of climate change mitigation strategies, denying its man-made origins despite scientific consensus.
Controversies: Hanson has previously faced criticism, including a temporary suspension from the Senate for wearing a burqa on the Senate floor.
Experiences and Perceptions in Lakemba
Senator Hanson has spoken about her own visits to Lakemba, describing the experience as "confronting." In a 2018 book launch, she stated her opinions on Muslim immigration and her belief that "This is not the Australian way of life." She also mentioned not liking to see women wearing veils and suggested that people who privately agree with her views are "scared to speak out in public." She has also reported being told to "go back where you came from" during a visit to Lakemba.
However, reports also indicate that during her visit, locals verbally abused Hanson and told her to "go back where you came from." Hanson has stated that her views on Muslims do not mean she is against immigrants from all countries and that discussions on the topic should continue.
Concerns Regarding Fear and Division
The statements by Senator Hanson have prompted concerns about their impact on social cohesion and individuals within the community. In 2016, an Asian-Australian Muslim man named Mr. Cuevas expressed worry that his children might grow up in fear if One Nation's immigration policies gained traction. He stated that such policies could lead to children "second guessing where they fit in the only place they call home" and result in "more fear and more hate."
ASIO Watchlist: Senator Hanson has cited the figure of 18,000 people on ASIO's watchlist as a reason for her concerns about radical Islam.
Broader Political Climate: The rise in One Nation's popularity comes amid ongoing debates about federal government policies on immigration and other matters.
Analysis of Hanson's Recent Remarks
Senator Hanson's recent comments specifically about Lakemba seem to build on her established political positions. While she has partially retracted earlier statements about there being no "good Muslims," she maintains her criticism of what she perceives as threats posed by radical Islam to Australia. She asserts that her focus is not on ethnic groups but on "speaking out against radical Islam."
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"It concerns me greatly that people can't go into certain suburbs in this country … And I've been there myself and you feel unwanted, you do not want to be there." - Pauline Hanson
This perspective suggests a personal feeling of discomfort and unwelcome when visiting Lakemba. The question remains whether this feeling is a widespread sentiment among the general Australian population or a reflection of her specific viewpoint and political agenda.
Evidence and Counterpoints
Evidence presented includes Senator Hanson's direct statements identifying Lakemba and describing her personal feelings of being unwelcome. She has also referenced concerns about radical Islam and a number of individuals on the ASIO watchlist.
Conversely, reports of locals in Lakemba telling Hanson to "go back where you came from" suggest that individuals within the suburb may feel targeted or misrepresented by her remarks. The concerns raised by Mr. Cuevas highlight the potential for divisive rhetoric to foster fear and division among children who identify as Australian and Muslim.
Conclusion
Pauline Hanson has identified Lakemba, Sydney, as a suburb where people may feel unsafe, citing her own experiences and broader concerns about radical Islam. This statement aligns with One Nation's long-standing opposition to immigration and multiculturalism. While Hanson maintains her right to speak on these issues, her remarks have generated debate about their impact on community relations and the potential for such rhetoric to create division and fear. The evidence points to a clash between Hanson's personal perceptions and the lived experiences of residents in Lakemba, as well as the broader societal concerns regarding inclusivity and belonging. Further investigation would require examining data on crime rates, community sentiment surveys in Lakemba, and more detailed breakdowns of the ASIO watchlist figures to understand the basis for widespread feelings of unsafety.
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Sources Used:
Article 1: The Sydney suburb Pauline Hanson says 'people can't go to'
Published: 1 hour ago
Link: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15569079/pauline-hanson-lakemba.html
Context: Reports on Pauline Hanson's recent statement identifying Lakemba as a place where people might feel unsafe, and her clarification of her remarks.
Article 3: Hanson issues partial apology for suggestion there are no 'good' Muslims
Published: 1 day ago
Context: Details Hanson's partial apology for remarks about "good Muslims" and her continued stance against radical Islam.
Article 5: Pauline Hanson speaks out about visit to Muslim-dominated suburb
Published: Mar 27, 2018
Context: Recounts Hanson's previous experiences and opinions following a visit to Lakemba, including claims of being abused by locals.
Article 2: Chris says he was bullied when Pauline Hanson said Australian would be swamped by Muslims. Now he’s worried for his kids when she says Australian will be swamped by Muslims.
Published: Sep 27, 2016
Context: Provides a personal account of concerns regarding Hanson's rhetoric on immigration and its potential impact on children.
Article 4: As One Nation's popularity surges, what does the party really stand for?
Published: Feb 10, 2026
Context: Outlines the historical policies and political platform of One Nation, including its focus on immigration and multiculturalism, and notes a recent increase in the party's popularity.
