Is Pauline Hanson to 'blame' for this attack against a Chinese restaurant?
OPINION: 'The video is as racist and cruel as it is bloody un-Australian.'
As teens all over Australia plan to walk against Pauline Hanson today in a co-ordinated protest, a horrific video of an attack that happened in Chinatown at the iconic restaurant Old Town has emerged.
Last week, a group of feral kids, seemingly high-school-aged, targeted the open restaurant, which had staff and customers inside.
They hurled furniture, screamed abuse, and thought it was all a lark. They also used a classic violence tactic - spraying water on everyone using a hose.
Vision of some of the incident was posted on the Instagram account Crazy News in Sydney. Warning: it is horrific.
These disgraceful individuals intentionally walked into Dixon Street - the main street of Chinatown in Sydney - where there is predominantly Chinese food restaurants, many of which are operated by families of Chinese descent.
This was a racially-motivated attack.
Some of the comments on the post blame the culture that One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has created, such as this one:
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“Australia’s future. The monocultural one according to the great @senatorpaulinehanson.”
So, is there a connection with Hanson's recent talk of a “monoculture” as an answer to what she sees as the problem of “mass immigration”?
Firstly, I'll state here clearly that One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is not directly responsible for, nor directly related to, this vicious attack.
No doubt, she would not condone it.
Hanson spoke about a “monoculture” again for the first time in years at the National Press Club in June. Image: Instagram
But it's not a stretch to say her recent high-profile anti-immigrant protestations have increased anti-social sentiment towards non-white people in our country.
As an Aussie-born woman of colour, I feel, and see, more than ever. For evidence, just look at any social media post on immigration. They are everywhere.
Yes, Hanson has had no direct hand in this horrific incident, but there's no doubt she's in some way 'allowed' Australians to speak up - and act out - with her recent talk of a “monoculture”, which has resonated with Australians who are strongly anti-immigration.
Hanson has emboldened many people to ‘share their views’, which are being expressed all over social media, and making headline news regularly.
And as is human nature, sometimes anger/hatred can lead to physical actions against targets, and that's what's happened here.
Pauline Hanson's words can have far-reaching implications
Just last week, Mediaweek reported on the defamation case that Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi brought against Hanson, where it was decided that her anti-Muslim statements could be inferred as incitement of others to feel free to express the same thing.
The One Nation leader had tweeted at Faruqi to "piss off back to Pakistan".
The tweet read in part: “You took citizenship, bought multiple homes, and a job in a parliament. It's clear you're not happy, so pack your bags and piss off back to Pakistan. — PH.”
Hanson appealed the first judgement against her from November 2024, which found she breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. She lost the appeal in July 2026.
The Federal Court confirmed the first ruling that Hanson's tweet targeted "immigrants, people of colour and Muslims".
Significantly, Justice Angus Stewart found that Hanson's response was "anti-Muslim or Islamophobic" and that her growing following would be encouraged to post similar sentiments.
As a high-profile identity - in this case, a senator - commenting and announcing policies about a minority group can be very dangerous.
Apart from also being bloody un-Australian.
READ MORE: Pauline Hanson loses: court confirms tweet racially vilified Senator
READ MORE: Pauline Hanson in full 'teacher mode' at National Press Club
Racial attack on Sydney Chinese restaurant Old Town
Now, full disclosure - my son, who has a mum of Indian descent (me), is a member of a Chinese dance group on the street - next door in fact.
I have sat at that tall table out the front which you can see in the video, on countless occasions over eight years.
There's something about it being strewn on the floor in a rampage which brings tears to my eyes.
Even worse is watching when, at two different times, the feral children spray a full-powered hose into the restaurant, aiming at the people inside.
It is utterly heartbreaking to see such cruelty.
On August 23, Old Town in Chinatown will close its doors after 15 years, to concentrate on its Barangaroo location.
What a way for them to be farewelled.
If you can, please go in and have some of the best Chinese food you'll ever devour, to reinforce the strong community around them.
And Hanson, please, please know that the kids are paying attention.
Today, the good ones are even walking against you.
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