By
Nick Alexander
Pauline Hanson has already made headlines on her first day back in session after proclaiming to the senate that Muslim people cheat the welfare system by having 'four wives and numerous children'. FTBA
Pauline Hanson left her Senate colleagues dumbfounded when she accused polygamist Muslims of rorting the taxpayer during a Sky News debate last night.
While the One Nation senator's assertion that was she was "going to be controversial" initially seemed redundant, her fellow crossbenchers almost fell off their chairs listening to Ms Hanson's remarks.
"You’ve got people out there, of Muslim background, they’re actually having four wives, numerous children, they’re getting into housing commission houses, we’re actually paying for that, and that is not right," Ms Hanson said.
Derryn Hinch, who had jokingly asked earlier if the debate would be protected by parliamentary privilege, could only stare at Ms Hanson with the kind of inscrutable expression usually associated with the onset of an aneurysm.
(Sky News)
Nick Xenophon, meanwhile, was quick to remonstrate with Ms Hanson, pointing out that polygamy is illegal in Australia.
"But it's happening!" Ms Hanson retorted.
"You can't single out one religion and pick on them," Mr Xenophon argued.
"I'm sorry, it's happening, that is the religion, so don't bury your head in the sand," Ms Hanson said.
Queensland Senator-elect Pauline Hanson wants to find out the ‘truth’ about climate change in Australia.
The former fish and chip shop owner later turned her sights on Hinch, ripping him for describing her as being "full of s—t" during a National Press Club address last month.
Hinch returned fire, telling Ms Hanson her views on family law reform were "unconstitutional" and "crazy".
Somehow NSW One Nation Senator and climate change denier Malcolm Roberts managed to get a word in, insisting that he was an "independent thinker" but would work as a team with his partymates.
Except on the issue of repealing section 18C of the discrimination act – the so-called "Bolt law" – over which Mr Roberts and his One Nation's WA senator, Rod Cullerton, clashed heads.
One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson has returned to Canberra, ready to take her place in the Senate.
"We can't let loose lips sink ships," Mr Cullerton said, in response to his NSW counterpart's claim that 18C is "fundamentally destroying people's responsibility".
Ms Hanson, for her part, seemed quite happy for the pair to disagree.
"I don't want 'yes' people in my party," she said.
"I want people that are strong characters fighting for what they believe, and I think that's what this parliament needs."
