Pauline Hanson has defended her controversial comments about removing autistic children in mainstream classrooms, claiming the other parties took what she said out of context for “political point scoring”.
The Senator refused to apologise for the comments that many have deemed offensive, asking, “what have I said that’s offensive?”
“These children need special care and attention. They are not getting it in a normal classroom. If they need special care and attention, then give it to them.
“You can actually have a special classroom to teach them in class hours. The rest of the time they are allowed to mix with the other kids in the playgrounds and sporting events. You must consider their educational needs to help these children progress through.”
The One Nation leader added: “I’m not saying they do not belong in the mainstream, I am saying give them the special attention, if they need that special attention. There are different levels of autism and parents will tell you that.”
Her comments on Wednesday quickly drew ire from the public and politicians alike.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorter read a letter from a disabled child’s parent in parliament, which said: “To hear one of our parliamentarians argue that kids with a disability don’t belong in mainstream classrooms doesn’t shock me, but it does break my heart all over again.”
Labor MP Emma Husar was also disgusted by Senator Hanson’s comments, especially because of the battles she’s faced getting her 10-year-old son Mitch enrolled in mainstream school.
“I was told that he’d never speak, that I could expect that Mitch [who’s on the autism spectrum] could never play in a sports team with his age-matched teams, or that he could ever be included in a mainstream class,” she explained.
“But he is and he does very, very well.”
Talking to the 164,000 Australian who have ASD, she said: “That you can be included, and you ought to be included.”
“And, that even on the days that are hard — when you’re frustrated, and your disability makes you angry — you are still better than she is on her best day.”
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