She's Leaving Australia....

Do I really care that one of Australia's most controversial politicians has decided to leave our shores?

I prefer to think that I am voyeuristically entertained, by Pauline Hanson's latest episode, in a somewhat crazy tale of ignorance, biggotary and how the 'unlikely' rose to fame.

Disliked by many in Australia, though loved by some Aussie battlers and those in the blue rinse brigade, she still managed to invade our lives and forced us to challenge our own beliefs. She was considered, by some, as one of the most influential Australians in our history.

With her One Nation Party, Pauline had us look at immigration, and government grants to the Aboriginal community. She was accused of being a racist, an image she denied, claiming 'white Australians' were victims of reverse racism.

Mocked by a large section of the media, this former fish and chip owner will remain known for some of Australian history's most famous quotes.

Who could forget some of these?:

I may be only a fish and chip shop lady, but some of these economists need to get their heads out of the textbooks and get a job in the real world. I would not even let one of them handle my grocery shopping.

and


I come here not as a polished politician but as a woman who has had her fair share of life's knocks.

She really was a very ordinary person, living an extraordinary life. Perhaps a lot of her support stemmed from battlers that felt they could relate to her. Despite her somewhat radical views, she did have a following. Many agreed with her, feeling threatened by issues like immigration, while others purely felt disgruntled by the more powerful traditional political parties.

One of the most humorous events in Pauline's leadership was when her solution to manage the Australian economy was to "print more money".

So, goodbye Pauline. You were a large part of my life, but I don't think I will be mourning your departure. I will think of your whining voice, from time to time, stunning us with comments as simple as ,"I don't like it."

What you did do Pauline, was allow us all to dream, and showed us the unthinkable can really happen.