One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson’s burqa stunt yesterday did exactly what she wanted — cut through a wild week of news and politics. Hanson’s stunt prompted a passionate speech from Attorney-General George Brandis, and politicians united in their condemnation of Hanson.
Within minutes of Hanson’s appearance in the Senate chamber, journalists and photographers were tweeting from the gallery, Sky News brought in a counter-terrorism expert to discuss Brandis’ speech who said such mockery could fuel terrorism, and Hanson was booked in for appearances on 2GB and Paul Murray Live. All the TV news bulletins carried the story, and all the metropolitan and national newspapers today carried the story on their front pages as a pointer, if not as the main story. Hobart’s The Mercury was the only capital city daily not to have any mention of the story on its front page. Even the NT News, known for ignoring big national stories in favour of crocodiles and other quirky yarns, had a front-page pointer, with picture, to the story.
Banning the burqa was not part of the national conversation yesterday morning, but after Hanson’s stunt, it well and truly is now.
Political marketing strategist Toby Ralph said Brandis’ response had only fueled more coverage: “Ms Hanson exercised her right to be a bigot again yesterday, and was slapped down magnificently by the oft-maligned George Brandis. But while most of Australia cheered the wonderful rebuke from Brandis, sadly it is likely to increase coverage of and sympathy for her position from her target audience of dim xenophobes.”
Centre for Advancing Journalism senior research fellow Denis Muller said the media couldn’t ignore Hanson, and provided the context and opposition to her position was included, the media should report on it: “She’s a public figure, she’s a senator, she’s in the Senate, she’s in Parliament. The media can’t ignore that, and yes, it’s a stunt and it’s sure to get plenty of publicity, but publicity of what kind? So long as the media report (the condemnation) as well, I think they’ve done what they can do.”
Muller says that the public interest in the matter overrides the censorship that would be involved in ignoring Hanson. “There is a public interest in knowing what a member of the Parliament is doing,” he said. “I don’t see how you could fail to give the public interest more weight than the argument about denying oxygen.”
22 thoughts on “Pauline Hanson’s PR masterstroke did exactly what she wanted it to”
John Newton
August 18, 2017 at 1:34 pmSorry Emily. The racists, a vast minority, will cheer the idiot. The rest of us will have confirmed our contempt for this pathetic, manipulative and allegedly criminal woman.
leon knight
August 18, 2017 at 1:54 pmMaybe Emily, but the stunt was an enlightening moment for me – doesn’t Pauline look so much better when she wears it…in fact the whole chamber looked so much more attractive, she should wear one all the time (might muffle her voice a little as well, added bonus).
Desmond Graham
August 18, 2017 at 2:03 pmI demand equality – the burqa should be for males as well – at least Parliament would be more sobering.
124C4U
August 18, 2017 at 2:31 pmNO!
All non male pollies should be made to wear the burqa, it would improve the look of parliament immediately.
Not the gorgeous Mikkie Cash tho, she’s eye candy.
We can sort out the blokes later, but Desmond it’s a good idea.
Marilyn J Shepherd
August 18, 2017 at 4:02 pmIf you think mad witch Cash is eye candy you seriously need strong glasses.
Zeke
August 18, 2017 at 1:57 pmThey should have forced her to walk down the streets of her beloved Ipswich wearing it. Maybe even catch a bus or two. Oh the irony of being abused by your own supporters.
zut alors
August 18, 2017 at 2:09 pmIt was surprising to learn Hanson purchased the burqa on ebay. I wondered if Hanson’s brains trust, James Ashby, had run it up at home on his Husqvarna.
klewso
August 18, 2017 at 2:09 pmIt’s getting so’s no one can be a bigot anymore.
Bill Hilliger
August 18, 2017 at 2:13 pmAnd not one fucking churnalist or crappy newspaper took it one step further to ask Pawleene, well if you want to ban the burqa why not a ban on hoodies as well. Many believe someone coming into a shop all hoodied up is definitely a cause for concern. But no, no, not one churnalist had the fucking nous to ask that obvious comparative question. Well done churnalists and stenographers.
Marilyn J Shepherd
August 18, 2017 at 4:03 pmNow you are insulting churnalists and stenographers,
Graeski
August 18, 2017 at 2:22 pmHanson or the story: one should be starved of oxygen. Take your pick.
Duncan Gilbey
August 18, 2017 at 2:41 pm“…her target audience of dim xenophobes.”
I don’t see how calling people ‘dim’ will get them to change their vote (but then again I’m not a political marketing strategist).
If I recall, labelling Trump supporters a ‘basket of deplorables’ didn’t work out too well.
Woopwoop
August 18, 2017 at 4:41 pmYes, but how many PHON voters read Crikey?
Teddy
August 19, 2017 at 7:40 amNone, of course. Crikey is an echo chamber – just as the Oz is to the grumpy old men who contribute to its comment threads, as is the Guardian’s equivalent to its hand-wringing equivalents… I doubt Crikey’s writers think they are changing anyone’s mind or trying to influence the way the nation votes (though maybe some of its comment writers are that delusional). And actually, “dim xenophobes” is pretty mild language compared to the abuse dished out by its star writers to describe suburban and regional Australians. That may cap Crikey’s demographic reach, but I’m sure its accountants have worked out it has a sustainable niche market. I’m not complaining, I certainly don’t mind entertaining agit-prop, and like everyone else, don’t object to having my beliefs and prejudices reinforced.
CML
August 18, 2017 at 5:08 pmPerhaps in addition to the dual citizen test for MPs and Senators, we should introduce an IQ test.
If we keep it fairly low, some of them might remain, but we could get rid of the anoxic idiots currently represented by Hanson and her ‘phonie’ fellow travellers!
They are all an absolute disgrace. What next…wheel chairs and disability aids in the parliament to have a go at another minority group? Unspeakable morons!!
Venise Alstergren
August 18, 2017 at 5:14 pmI can only say the wretched woman should remain in a burqa for the rest of her life. There are enough plain stupid racists in Australia without that screech owl to lead them.