Um. Guys?

[lizbee]

THE political party founded by firebrand Pauline Hanson has called for two dedicated seats in federal parliament for indigenous people.

THE political party founded by firebrand Pauline Hanson has called for two dedicated seats in federal parliament for indigenous people.

To put this in context for non-Australians, that's a bit like the BNP turning around and saying, "Actually, we really appreciate the benefits of immigration and a multi-ethnic society." Or the Tea ... Bag ... Party ... Whosits ... Things going, "Yeah, we're proud to have an African-American president, but there's still a lot of work to be done on America's attitudes towards race. Also, health care!"

In short:

Comments

[nostalgia]

I... they... whut? How? IS THE WORLD ENDING?

[lizbee]

I DON'T KNOW.

I'm reassured by the silly "WE WERE NEVER RACIST, WHAT DO YOU MEAN" at the end. It's a sign that at least some aspects of the world are the right way up.

[jesuswasbatman]

Ah, but the rest of the seats will be reserved for white people.

[adelheid]

This is what I assume.

[lilacsigil]

...do the seats have big spikes on them?

[jamethiel]

...

I don't. WHUT?!?

DOES NOT COMPUTE. OUT OF CHEESE ERROR.

I don't even--I, just, HOW?!?

[misscam]

... Are pigs also flying and we will now be woken by oinks in the morning rather than bird natter?

[kerravonsen]

(boggles)

[purple_smurf]

But then would indigenous Australians be allowed into parliament in any other seats under this plan? I just... seriously? Have I missed something and it's suddenly April again? Is this in full context? IT IS MY BEDTIME AND I AM UNABLE TO PROCESS THIS INFORMATION!

[matgb]

OK, taking it at face value, my understanding, in NZ, people of aboriginal descent can choose whther to register for a local constituency of for a national Maori seat, no compulsion, etc. That ensures that the Maori are represented properly but doesn't force people to identify against their local community if they so wish.

I have no problem with that as a specific, although it wouldn't be my preferred solution. It's not actually a terrible idea and seems to work in NZ from what I've seen (although I've been reading other stuff, that's just come up tangentially, looking at voting system reform and NZ is a good example).

OTOH.

"I've never run into anyone in the party who is racist," he said.

"Racism is the easiest way for others to discount any credibility."

Then either he doesn't know how to spot a racist or he's lying.

I've met racists in my party, and I've met them in Labour, and I've met more in the Tories. All parties will attract lunatics and crackpots, you can't filter them out but you can keep them from the levers of power.

If he thinks no one in his party is racist, then he's stupid. The party may or may not be, but all parties contain some with racist views, impossible to stop it.

[snorkackcatcher]

"I've never run into anyone in the party who is racist," he said.

I don't know why you would disbelieve him. I'm sure he's a very careful driver.

The seats? Neat bit of triangulation that can be proposed for effect without actually conceding any other points, I presume.

IT'S A SCAM!

[myniamh]

huh?

I'm very tired and I've had a couple of drinks but I can only think that there are at least enough stupid people out there who will vote on name recognition alone to fund them for the next four years, they only have to say something that they know has no chance of actually happening (because their ideas tend towards the VERY stupid if not outright NASTY) and they will get a lot of attention very quickly so they don't have to pay for any publicity or adds.

[fyrdrakken]

Completely OT: I saw this and thought of you.