Fed: Hanson says she s here to stay

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2000
Fed: Hanson says she s here to stay

CANBERRA, Aug 17 AAP - One Nation had overcome its hurdles and was moving ahead as
a major political party, founder Pauline Hanson said today.

Ms Hanson, who is facing hefty legal bills after her party was struck off the political
register for the way it had obtained membership, said that she would not walk away from
the Australian people.

The party's membership was ruled invalid in May but it re-registered in New South Wales
in July this year.

"It took the Labor Party 10 years to get established," Ms Hanson told the Nine Network's
Today Show.

"It's no different from us.

"We've had people that jumped on the bandwagon, who've tried to disrupt us, try to
destroy us, tried to get rid of me.

"But we've got over those hurdles.

"We've got rid of the racists, we've got rid of the extremists.

"We're really moving ahead in leaps and bounds.

"And the Australian people have not walked away from me and the support is still there,
very, very strongly."

She said that the federal government was only debating issues such as illegal immigrants
and reconciliation because of One Nation, and to keep a hold of seats.

"The government is just addressing these issues now because One Nation is there and
they're in fear of losing their vote and their seats in parliament.

"And so they should.

"If I'm not there no-one will debate these issues.

"No-one will have the opportunity to debate them and without debate you cannot find
the right solution.

"It's very important to have another major political party in Australia and that can
only be One Nation."

She highlighted the GST, tariff reductions and illegal immigrant problems as issues
of chief concern.

"Enough is enough and I will continue to keep speaking out about these issues until
the government addresses it for the Australian people."

AAP lm/mg

KEYWORD: NATION

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