Money making Halal Certification

Pauline Hanson said halal food funds terrorism

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson went on the attack on Sunday saying that imposing halal certification on Australians was wrong, while defending the anti-Islam protests across Australia.

Speaking to the media, Ms Hanson described halal certification as a 'profit, money-making racket' and that the public were being 'hoodwinked' over the issue. She also said that the protests on Saturday were about 'criticism, not racism'.

'It's a profit, money-making racket and has been connected with the Muslim Brotherhood in France. Why can't we have an investigation into where the money actually goes?' she claimed. When told by the interviewer that there was no basis to any of these claims Ms Hanson replied: 'Why do Australians have to pay tax for halal certification? It is a money making racket. Why do Australians have to pay extra when they buy this product?'

Ms Hanson added that an investigation was needed into halal certification in Australia. 'It's extortion that has been put onto businesses that you must pay this money,' she said. 'A Muslim doesn't need a halal certification, they can say a prayer over their food. Then it's OK.

Her comments came after protesters clashed with anti-racist activists in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday. Anti-racist activists burned an Australian flag in Melbourne while chanting: 'No right in genocide.'

Many were draped in the Australian flag and carried signs denouncing sharia law and halal certification for Australian products.

'There was no violence at the Brisbane rally whatsoever. Islam is not a race so therefore we're not talking about racism here whatsoever.

'Criticism is not racism. We have a right to have a say and have an opinion,' she said.

Xenophobia 101.