Pauline Hanson’s political playbook hasn’t changed in 30 years. We saw it on display again in Federal Parliament this week. Sure, it was a stunt. She will say it was a protest. But when it comes to Senator Hanson, prejudice is often dressed up as protest. 

In the Hanson world there is always someone to fear.  People not like her. There are always others to point the finger at – including “Asians”, “Muslims”, “Aboriginals”, “people of colour”, “immigrants” and “foreigners”. 

Read Senator Hanson’s speeches and media releases over the past three decades and often you will see the word “they”. In Hanson speech, “they” becomes a poisoned, race-laced pronoun. Those she targets become a collective to be feared. Misrepresentation, misinformation, exaggeration and cultural ignorance are part of the playbook that intentionally fosters division. And good people pay the price. 

You see, you can’t play politics the Pauline Hanson way and then seek to be excused when innocent people are subject to racist or gender attacks, discrimination and violence.

It looked like we had seen the end of Hanson style politics in our country, but ever the opportunist, as Rob Harris writes, Hanson was able to ride the wave of global right-wing populism back into relevance. And yes the polls show her support is growing as the Coalition tear themselves apart. And maybe Barnaby is about to jump on the wagon.

There are many reasons why people support the One Nation agenda and in democratic Australia may we continue to cherish difference of opinion. 

Yes we can respect difference, but in my opinion, people of good will – no matter their political or religious views – need to continue to call out prejudice and racism in all its forms – from the school yard to the workplace lunch room to Federal Parliament.

The danger of unaccountable, prejudice-based, populist politics is being played out in the US on a daily basis. Baptist pastoral colleagues are being arrested as they stand alongside the marginalised and call for compassion and justice. 

No matter what you think of Senator Penny Wong’s politics – she has lived experience of racism in Australia. She told the Senate this week that she was motivated to enter Federal Parliament not because of a fear that Australia would be swamped by an ethnic or religious group – but rather that it could be swamped by hatred and division.  

If there is one thing followers of Jesus should not be known by, it’s the fostering of hatred and division. Yes, we need heathy, robust debate on many issues in Australia, including immigration. This is a complex matter with the need for civil discourse and differing opinions and policy suggestions.

But to dress like Jesus is not a matter for debate. It means daily clothing ourselves with love that changes the way we see others.