South East leaders have condemned recent public remarks by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, suggesting there are “no good Muslims.”
“Such statements are harmful and risk reinforcing stigma, exclusion, and division within our multicultural society,” Wellsprings for Women chief executive Dalal Smiley said.
“We stand in solidarity with Islamophobia Register Australia and others who have highlighted the damaging impact of rhetoric that generalises or vilifies entire communities.”
Ms Smiley said Islamophobia had real and documented consequences, particularly for Muslim women and children.
“Muslim women — especially those who wear visible markers of faith such as the hijab — experience disproportionate levels of verbal abuse, harassment, and public hostility.
“Children are also affected, facing bullying, social isolation, and diminished wellbeing.
“These experiences undermine safety, belonging, and participation in community life.”
Wellsprings for Women supports migrant and refugee women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Melbourne’s South-East and is an active member of the South East Anti-Racism Network.
“We see first hand how respectful dialogue and inclusive leadership strengthen social cohesion,” Ms Smiley said.
“Public commentary carries influence.
“At a time when many communities are observing important cultural and faith traditions, it is vital that public discourse reflects responsibility, fairness, and respect.”
Ms Smiley said Australian Muslims were valued members of society — contributing as professionals, parents, volunteers, and community leaders.
Greater Dandenong councillor and six-time mayor Jim Memeti, who is Muslim, condemned Ms Hanson for her “completely and utterly false” and “un-Australian” remark.
He said her “Islamophobic” statement may consititute unlawful “hate speech”.
“I think someone who sits in Federal Parliament and is speaking like this is completely un-Australian. All she is doing is supporting division.
“In Greater Dandenong we continue to work really hard to bring communities and faiths together, to have really nice social cohesion.
“We put our arm around our fellow Australians whether they’re of Hindu, Christian or Islamic faith and we support one another.”
Cr Memeti cited Ahmed al Ahmed, a hero who disarmed one of the gunmen during a terrorism massacre at a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach last year, as one of “thousands and thousands of good people of Muslim faith”.
“Australia is a country of immigrants – everyone I know loves this beautiful country, they wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
“If (Ms Hanson) is going to create division and turn people against each other, that’s not a good leader in my view.”
Bruce MP and multicultural affairs assistant minister Julian Hill posted on social media that “Pauline Hanson’s comments about Muslim Australians are digusting”.
“That sort of dangerous chaos and hate has no place in Australia.”
Ms Hanson, who was recently suspended from the Senate for wearing a burka in Parliament, is well known for claims such as Australia being at risk of being “swamped by Muslims”.
Her party One Nation is currently riding high in the polls, and recently recruited former Nationals leader and Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce.
