Hanson sticks by autism comment
PAULINE Hanson has labelled her critics “disgraceful” and “misleading” while refusing to retreat from comments that children with autism should be removed from mainstream classrooms.
The One Nation leader insists she will not apologise for suggesting autistic children are holding other kids back.
Her comments have drawn widespread criticism, but Senator Hanson argues she was taken out of context, and put the controversy down to political point- scoring.
“My intention is to raise these issues, speak about them, openly and honestly on the floor of parliament,” she said.
“To actually go out there and say that I want to stop children from entering classrooms is disgraceful, it is misleading, and I think that in itself is very hurtful to the parents who do have children with autism.
“I’m not saying they do not belong in the mainstream. I am saying provide other resources if they need that special attention.”
Senator Hanson said debate on the issue was needed.
“There is a problem in our society – parents know it, teachers know it,” she said.
“But if you raise anything in this country that is taboo by just a few of those on the left, we are not going to find the answers that we need.”
On Wednesday, Senator Hanson questioned whether including autistic children in mainstream classrooms was “at the loss of our other kids”.
Labor MP Emma Husar, whose 10- year- old son Mitch has autism, demanded an apology from Senator Hanson.
“She owes an apology to every single autistic child in this country, every one of the parents who are like me,” she said.