Third Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party hopeful rages at gay ‘bigots’

One Nation has refused to say whether Tracey Bell-Henselin – a former Rise Up Australia candidate in last year’s federal election – would be disciplined or disendorsed over her comments. Picture: Annette Dew

Anthony Templeton, Kieran Rooney, The Courier-Mail
January 11, 2017 1:03pm
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/third-pauline-hansons-one-nation-party-hopeful-rages-at-gay-bigots/news-story/9d6af1c3bc77c6175fff4a7e543fcfbe

UPDATE: Senator Pauline Hanson has backed One Nation’s Glasshouse candidate, Tracey Bell-Henselin, who posted controversial remarks online claiming the gay community wanted “to destroy families”.

But Senator Hanson, during an interview in Townsville today, claimed Ms Bell-Henselin’s comments were not anti-gay and she would remain as the party’s candidate for the Sunshine Coast-based seat.

“I think you had better go and read that in full context with regards to her work ... those were not homophobic comments at all,” she said.

“That was totally taken out of context and I’m quite happy with her comments she won’t be disendorsed at all.”

EARLIER:

A third One Nation candidate could find herself in hot water after posting homophobic remarks, saying the gay and lesbian people want “to destroy families”.

The party’s candidate for the seat of Glasshouse, Tracey Bell-Henselin, posted several anti-gay comments on her personal Facebook page in recent months, and claims the LGBTI community is “the real manipulating bigot”.

“LGBTI is out to destroy families as we know (them) and have lived for generations producing babies/growing a family produced by a mother & father – creation!!!,” she wrote in one of her posts.

“But now when we stand up on the side of the law to protect our family and children we gave birth to – we are told to shut up that we (are) bigots & homophobic – labelled, cursed sworn at!!!”

Ms Bell-Henselin refused to return calls yesterday, but did send a text message saying she would only respond to The Courier-Mail’s questions if leading party figures were present.

“I will only talk to you with Pauline and James Ashby present as One Nation is a team,” she said in the message.

One Nation has refused to say whether Ms Bell-Henselin – a former Rise Up Australia candidate in last year’s federal election – would be disciplined or disendorsed over her comments.

The revelations come after One Nation’s Bundamba candidate Shan Ju Lin was axed over the weekend for homophobic posts. The party’s former Currumbin candidate Andy Semple was disendorsed last month after he posted an offensive Tweet joking about the LGBTI community.

One Nation executive member and Pauline Hanson’s chief of staff James Ashby said he was unaware of Ms Bell-Henselin’s homophobic social media posts until he was contacted by The Courier-Mail. Mr Ashby refused to comment but confirmed the party would look into the matter.

Acting Communities Minister Kate Jones said Ms Bell-Henselin’s comments were divisive and should not be tolerated.

“We don’t want 2017 to be dominated by Queenslanders running down other Queenslanders,” she said.

“Clearly, Pauline Hanson and her party should take action against this candidate.