Hanson demands visa ban, protest crackdown after US strikes on Iran
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called on the federal government to stop offering resettlement visas to Iranian nationals and prevent further public protests in response to recent US strikes on Iran.
Senator Hanson voiced strong support for the US military action, describing its strikes against Iran over the weekend as necessary for global security.
'The world is a safer place without nuclear weapons in the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran – a radical Islamic dictatorship,' Senator Hanson said in a statement.
'Safety of Australians should remain paramount and that is why One Nation supports the strike conducted by the United States to destroy Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities.'
Her comments come after US President Donald Trump confirmed the United States had carried out an attack on three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday.
The attack follows Israel launching a surprise attack targeting Iran's nuclear program on June 13, prompting the countries to trade deadly strikes.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the government's support for the US's action on Monday morning.
'We support action to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. And that is what this is,' she told Nine.
Senator Hanson accused the federal government of being 'weak' in response to 'terrorism against Israel', calling for an end to domestic protests and a stop to resettlement visas for Iranian citizens.
Protests calling for an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza have been ongoing across Australia, with recent protests also calling for Australia to pull out of AUKUS, its defence deal with the US and the UK.
'Since the Iranian regime-backed Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 2023, Australia has faced anti-Semitic protests at the Sydney Opera House, our government-funded universities, parliamentary offices, and in our suburbs,' Senator Hanson said.
'This must not be tolerated following US strikes and I request that you work with state and territory governments to prevent these protests from recommencing,
'One Nation seeks confirmation from you and your government that you will prosecute radical Islamic preachers who inspire terrorism and hatred in Australia,
'And we seek your assurance that your government will not offer additional visas to Iranians seeking resettlement in Australia.'
Protesters descended on the US consulate in Melbourne and Hyde Park in Sydney on Sunday to denounce the bombing of Iran.
Students for Palestine Iranian socialist Bella Beiraghi called out the Israeli and US governments for 'recycling 20-year-old lies' about Iran's nuclear weapons program at Melbourne's rally.
'They say that Iran is a mortal threat to the region, but if you just look over the past 20 months of genocide in Gaza, you can see who the real threat to the region is; it's Israel and America,' she said.
Right-wing commentator Kobie Thatcher echoed Senator Hanson's call, posting a video of the gathering on 'x', labelling them 'absolutely disgraceful scenes' and calling for 'mass deportations'.
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