Culture

Pauline Hanson Used Facebook To Fire A One Nation Candidate For Posting Homophobic Comments

The candidate posted homophobic comments on social media.

by Osman Faruqi  9 January 2017

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One Nation’s first Asian-Australian candidate has been sacked by Pauline Hanson after less than a month in the position.

Shan Ju Lin was announced as the party’s candidate for the Queensland seat of Bundamba last December. At the time she said One Nation would attract the votes of “good Asians”.

Last week Lin posted an article on Facebook about a rape trial, and commented: “Abnormal sex behaviour leads to abnormal crime. Gays should be treated as patients, they need to receive treatments.”

According to a statement posted by Hanson, One Nation party officials contacted Lin on Facebook Messenger and told her that they were “not happy” with her comments, and suspended her candidature.

“The party executive and review committee will be following up this matter up and determining your endorsement for the Queensland state election,” they wrote.

Lind stood by her comments on Facebook, posting: “Thanks for all supporters, no matter what happened, I will continue to hold the values that we are holding.”

In response, Hanson sacked her as a candidate. “Shan Ju, you have not heeded the warnings of the executive after your suspension less than 24 hours ago regarding ‘gays should be treated as patients’ and have continued to post denigrating remarks and stories to your Facebook page,” she said.

“These are not the views shared by Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, nor the views of your fellow candidates and the general public.”

Lin fired back, again on Facebook, writing: “This dis-endorsement decision has come as a complete surprise as One Nation has no policy to be adhered to on this issue except for that of a referendum on gay marriage whereby the community would have its say.”

Lin is also the president of the local Harmony Day Festival committee. The local mayor, Paul Pisasale, has threatened to cut funding to the festival unless Lin steps down.

Last month another One Nation candidate from Queensland, Andy Semple, resigned after a series of tweets he posted gained attention, including a comment targeting Labor senator Penny Wong.