Time to sack redneck MP

Time to sack redneck MP

Three days before flying to Jakarta I read a story in The
Jakarta Post (May 16, 1997) about Pauline Hanson, the renegade
Australian politician who has just recently founded her own
political party "One Nation". Imagine my horror when I read that
she advocated the spread of semiautomatic weapons to help defend
Australia against possible attacks from Asia.

My first reaction was, "Thank god I've got a British
passport." Let me assure readers that Pauline Hanson, "the
Oxleymoron", does not represent the views of the majority of
Australian people. Admittedly a few rednecks have jumped on the
bandwagon, but there is a growing and widespread opposition to
both the woman and her policies. Naming her new party One Nation
is an insult to the Australian people. Her racially founded views
and policies only cause division.

What is equally alarming, from an Australian taxpayers point
of view, is that while she is gallivanting around the country
selling her new party, she is neglecting the people who elected
her. She was elected as an independent member for the seat of
Oxley, Queensland. She cannot serve her electorate while she is
on this personal crusade.

Questions must be asked about her travel funding -- is she
using her ministerial privileges while doing business that has
nothing to do with her elected position? The Oxley area is
predominantly working class. The average worker, who toils nine
to five in a factory, is expected to be on the job everyday. Any
prolonged absence results in instant dismissal.

What about Ms. Hanson? Surely continued absence from her job
also warrants immediate action. Yes, that's right, sack this
woman who has tarnished Australia's reputation overseas! The
quicker she exits Australian politics the better.

PAUL FRANKS

Queensland, Australia