Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am glad you have raised this, because I think you are totally misled. You are misinforming this parliament. I never said that children with autism would not be in normal, average schools. I said that they should actually have a special classroom. They should have a classroom where they actually have the special attention that they need with the teachers.

Senator Hanson-Young interjecting—

I have actually had a lot of comments from teachers who are contacting my office and are saying that it is clearly a problem in the classrooms that has not been addressed. Parents are also saying, 'It is a great idea and thank goodness someone has finally opened up the debate on this and actually wants to discuss it.' Anyway, we have had a lot of support today from people who believe this needs to be opened up for debate. All children deserve a decent education, and I think what the government has done in this bill to increase the funding for autism in schools is a wonderful idea. I believe it has gone from approximately $690 million up to $1.23 billion, so that is much appreciated, especially by Giant Steps—they are very appreciative of it. Giant Steps is a school for autistic children. Their parents had trouble getting them into schools and they did not fit into schools, and that is why Giant Steps has been started.

There is another thing. I had a letter from a 15-year-old boy today, and he said: 'You are right in what you said. I went to a state school and I was bullied. I was not treated properly and I was left out of excursions, to the point I felt like I could die. It was not till mum found me a Catholic school for special kids that I then started to learn properly. I felt accepted and I went on excursions.'

I think what is important is this: let's have the debate about it. There clearly is a problem. Because I raised an issue, you have mislead this parliament about what my true statements were. You were not interested—through the Chair. I do not believe the Greens or the Labor Party are interested in what I have to say. I think it has been political pointscoring. Parents and children have heard these comments. They have been taken completely out of context.

Everyone deserves a decent education. As I said in part of my speech—I wish I had it here to say it word for word—if it were one of my children I would want them to have all the special needs and attention that they truly deserve. Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Look at the problems out there. Listen to what the people are saying. Listen to what the teachers are saying. Even the Queensland Teachers' Union admit there is a problem with autism in the classrooms—that teachers are not taught or qualified in how to handle this. That has to be addressed.