Hanson says her vision of ‘monoculture’ is like the Socceroos

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has likened her vision of a “monocultural” Australia to the Socceroos, as she continues to face attacks over her demand last week for an end to multiculturalism.

After saying at her National Press Club address that Australia’s decades-old policy of multiculturalism was “utterly flawed”, Hanson has since explained that little would change under her policy of monoculture, and today compared her vision to the Socceroos: a team of different religions and ethnicities all playing for the same goal.

Beyond cuts to immigration Senator Hanson has not detailed what she would seek to change, but has praised Japan as an example. There foreign residents are expected to adapt to local customs and learn the Japanese language, with strict controls over long-term residency and citizenship.

Hanson’s approach in mentioning the Socceroos have stirred up uproar in the Parliament. Conservative MP Garth Hamilton issued a blunt rebuke to Hanson on ABC Afternoon Briefing, saying she had put forward “a preposterous notion”, saying that she can’t claim [they are monocultural] at all as they represent Australia as it is. Labor MP Josh Burns agreed, stating that Pauline Hanson may not understand all of the concepts she talks about, and Australia had already tried to be a monocultural country in the past in the name of White Australia policy.