Hanson tells PM she ‘won’t back down’ on Islam

Queensland senator-elect Pauline Hanson has told Malcolm Turnbull she refuses to back down on her controversial Islam policies during a private phone call with the prime minister.

The One Nation leader, whose policies include a ban on building new mosques until a Royal commission into whether Islam is a religion or an ideology has been held and installing CCTV cameras in all existing mosques, said Mr Turnbull called her on Friday night to congratulate her on winning a Queensland seat in the upper house.

“He said ‘you have every right to take your place on the floor of parliament, over half a million people voted for you’ — and that is correct,” she told supporters in a video uploaded to her Facebook page.

Ms Hanson said Mr Turnbull was “taken by surprise” when she told him she would have four and possibly seven senators.

She told the prime minister, who before the election said she was unwelcome in Australian politics, she wanted to work with the government to “get good legislation for the people”.

“But I also told him I will not back down on my issues to do with Islam,” she said.

“We have a right to protection in this country.

“We cannot back away from these views and we cannot just ignore a religion or an ideology that does not and is not compatible with the Australian culture and way of life.” Ms Hanson said Mr Turnbull assured her border security was “very big on his agenda” and the pair will meet when she travels to Canberra.

She added: “I just want you to know I have got the ear of the prime minister now on your behalf because I’m working for you and it’s very important, as I said to him, that we all work together to find the right answers.”

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