We all know what Pauline “too-Islamophobic-for-Trump” Hanson did yesterday in Senate and whether you agree with it or not, the effects of her stunt may have far more toxic ramifications than even she anticipated.
Experts have spoken out against the Senator’s decision to wear a burqa in Parliament, condemning it as counterproductive.
WATCH: Waleed Aly calls for unity to prevent a more powerful ISIS.
“It is so important that people who are wavering, who know something really dodgy, can have confidence they can go to the authorities and be treated with respect,” Professor Blaxland, who wrote a history of domestic spy agency ASIO, told ABC.
“It is important [they] know that what they communicate will be treated with confidence and used appropriately.”
It’s pretty well-understood by now that isolating the already vulnerable minority is a surefire way to push them straight into the arms of ISIS – a group offering acceptance and condemnation of the society that scorned them.
Senator Hanson’s behaviour has undeniably risked just that in a move that could easily humiliate and undermine 500,000 Australian Muslims – a thought Attorney-General George Brandis voiced at the time.
“I would caution and counsel you with respect to be very, very careful of the offence you may do to the religious sensibilities of other Australians,” Senator Brandis said.
“And to ridicule that community, to drive it into a corner, to mock its religious garments is an appalling thing to do.
“I would ask you to reflect on that.”
Experts praised Senator Brandis’ speech, with Mr Blaxland saying he put “a wet blanket on the flames” to ABC.
“It was pretty damn impressive, actually,” he said.
Earlier this year, the NSW government rolled out an anti-radicalisation program across 19 schools in western and south-western Sydney in an attempt to prevent any young, vulnerable students conforming to the likes of ISIS.
