Trump administration slams One Nation leader for Muslim remarks

The Trump administration has branded the Australian party One Nation a threat to religious freedom in a report published this week.

One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson.

One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson. Source: AAP

As part of a summary of Australia’s efforts to maintain religious freedom, the International Religious Freedom Report for 2016  – published by the US Department of State – noted that One Nation’s federal election campaign had "included cessation of Muslim immigration and limits on some Islamic practices".

The department called out One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson for her first senate speech, in which she claimed the country was "in danger of being swamped by Muslims".

Presenting the report, US Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson said: "Almost 20 years after the [International Religious Freedom Act's] passage, conditions in many parts of the world are far from ideal.

"Religious persecution and intolerance remains far too prevalent.

"No one should have to live in fear, worship in secret, or face discrimination because of his or her beliefs."

Almost two thirds of Australians identify as Christian, according to the report, while Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Jews constitute 6.5 per cent of the population in total.

Over 20 per cent claimed no religious affiliation and eight per cent said they did not have a religion or else had another religious affiliation.

One Nation did not respond when contacted for comment by SBS World News.

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Source: SBS World News


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Trump administration slams One Nation leader for Muslim remarks | SBS News