Pauline Hanson slammed Islam, the United Nations, the recent China trade deal and foreign investment in a speech in Caboolture on Saturday.
After telling the about 100 people gathered at the Caboolture Golf Club that she had been endorsed by the One Nation executive as its national chairwoman and leader, Ms Hanson tried to position One Nation as the nation’s defender.
“There are those lurking close at hand who wish to destroy all that is Australian and our freedom,” she said.
Ms Hanson used half her speech to attack Islam, saying it “opposes freedom of democracy” and claimed Australians were being “forced” to buy halal food.
She called for a ban on the burqa and niquab from government buildings, schools, universities and while driving a car.
Islamic Council of Queensland president Mohammed Yusuf slammed Ms Hanson as “totally ignorant”.
Mr Yusuf said Islam was fully democratic: “It allows freedom in every respect.”
“If you go back to the teachings Islam… is fully democratic.
“It was the first the first religion that granted democracy and freedom to the people, including women.”
Mr Yussuf said halal certification was not only a means of letting Muslims know what they were allowed to eat, but also enabled Australian companies and farmers to export billions of dollars of goods to Islamic markets.
He said the fee charged was minimal – $250 for a restaurant and 1/10th of a cent per processed chicken.
He said certification was especially important with processed foods where some minor ingredients might not be halal.