Here is who had the gonads to actually stand up to Hanson
For the purposes of this week, Andrew Hastie is an honorary woman. I am completely sure he will be delighted to be living his truth. More on this in a minute, while I thank four cis women Tanya Plibersek, Clare O'Neil, Anne Ruston and Jane Hume for their work in standing up to the divisive hot mess of One Nation and its leader Pauline Hanson.
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A week ago, Hanson delivered her first National Press Club of Australia speech. Moderated by someone who couldn't moderate (sorry Tom Connell, you seem like a nice young man but I don't think you did a good job on that day), she was allowed extra time to be her virulent self - and not nearly enough time to be interrogated.
Since then, there's been handwringing and column inches about the amount of hatred Hanson spewed. But four women politicians have stood up and spoken out. Three of them are mothers of three. My god. Before you chastise me for pointing out O'Neil's maternity, let me tell you to get stuffed. There are people who can't manage one lot of responsibility. Managing three kids and the insanity of political life in this country is impressive.
Let me begin with Clare O'Neil, mother of three and Minister for Housing and Homelessness, who lashed Hanson earlier this week.
She said: "I am so sick of watching the Liberals and the Nationals get eaten alive by One Nation and they are inert, they are cowardly, they are frozen. When are they going to stand up and fight against the absolutely outrageous nonsense that One Nation are spreading right around this country? You know, Pauline Hanson says there are no good Muslims in Australia. Why can't Angus Taylor stand up and call that racism? Because that is what it is."
All good comments and excellent questions. Now O'Neil has the kind of background Hanson thinks is AOK (her mum Anne O'Donovan is a publishing legend........
