Hanson's Muslim comments divisive: Barnett

Colin Barnett says Pauline Hanson's comments about Muslims can cause division in the community, but he stands by the WA Liberal-One Nation preference deal.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett

Colin Barnett says Pauline Hanson's comments about Muslims can cause division in the community. (AAP)

Pauline Hanson questioning whether there are any "good Muslims" could contribute to divisiveness in the community, WA Premier Colin Barnett says, but he still stands by the Liberal preference deal with One Nation.

Senator Hanson made the comment and also asserted Muslims were taking over Australian suburbs in an interview on the Nine Network's A Current Affair program.

Mr Barnett, who polls suggest looks set for defeat at this weekend's state election, said her comments could create division at a national level.

But he would not back away from the controversial preference deal, which he said was not an endorsement of the party's candidates or policies.

"There is no agreement or understanding that we will reach policy agreements on legislation or any other matter," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"It is simply a preference arrangement for maximising the Liberal vote - there is no other commitment at all."

Senator Hanson flew into Perth on Sunday for a week-long campaign blitz around the state, but Mr Barnett says he has never met her or even spoken to her.

Liberal member for Perth Eleni Evangel is so far the only member of her party to publicly speak out against the deal, while One Nation candidates who oppose it have either quit or been disendorsed.

However, One Nation candidate Margaret Dodd, the mother of murdered teenage girl Hayley Dodd, has made negative comments about it and told The West Australian she would announce on Thursday whether she would hand out how-to-vote cards.


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Source: AAP



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