One Nation leader stands firm as parliamentarians push civility pledge after attack on independent MP
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Senator Pauline Hanson says her "Please Explain" cartoons will stay online, while other parliamentarians are moving to sign a civility pledge following the attack on independent MP Helen Haines.
Senator Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, announced on social media that the party's "Please Explain" satirical videos will continue to be available, despite criticism from other federal politicians. Hanson said the cartoons are unrelated to the recent assault on independent MP Helen Haines and accused Labor and the Coalition of trying to use the incident to suppress legitimate criticism and political commentary.
"Free speech, satire, criticism and debate are essential to our democracy. They must be protected," Hanson wrote.
The cartoons, which list Hanson as a producer, have previously drawn scrutiny for depicting Liberal MP Andrew Hastie as a traitor and mocking the health issues of independent Senator Jacqui Lambie, who is also a veteran. Earlier illustrations also showed a caricature of Hanson driving a bus over independent Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe.
In response to the attack on Dr. Haines, several parliamentarians intend to sign a "civility pledge" modeled on a similar UK initiative after the murder of MP Jo Cox. The pledge reads: "In my political life, I pledge to act with honesty, respect and compassion." Independent MP Kate Chaney, who signed the pledge, told ABC Radio National that participation is voluntary and highlighted that Haines was the first federal MP to sign it.
The pledge and the ongoing debate underscore a broader discussion about the balance between free expression and respectful discourse in Australian politics.