AS a proud father with not “much of a filter”, Federation Council administrator Mike Eden felt compelled to reply to Pauline Hanson’s attack on children with autism.
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The former top flight rugby league player directed a tweet at Senator Hanson after she told parliament students with autism should be separated from others.
“Hi @PaulineHansonOz My son is 12 & has Autism he transitioned into mainstream & is now School captain Should school "to get rid of him" ??” Mr Eden wrote.
He told The Border Mail he was “sad” Senator Hanson was “getting publicity from this and ignorant people will be jumping on her bandwagon”.
“My gut feel was not to give her any oxygen, but you get angry with things and it’s not right and I don’t have much of a filter and I say what I think and thought I can’t let it sit,” Mr Eden said.
His son Will has Asperger’s syndrome and initially attended Albury’s Aspect Riverina School which caters to children with autism.
After home schooling with mother Karena Leet, Will has been at Albury West Public School in recent years, a move Mr Eden says has been a stunning success.
“He’s now school captain, he’s grown wings; he’s turning into a person you want in your community,” he said.
“He could end up getting a job, living independently and being a valuable part of society.
“Had he had of stayed in a special school that wouldn’t have been possible I don’t believe.
“I want kids included, not excluded and it’s been good for the kids at his school to have him there.
“He’s a bit quirky but the kids and the staff love him.”
Senator Hanson’s comments came during debate on the federal government’s Gonski 2.0 funding deal.
“These children should go into a special classroom and be... given that special attention because most of the time the teachers spend so much time on them,” she said.
“They forget about the child who … wants to go ahead [in] leaps and bounds in their education.”
Mr Eden said there was clearly a need for more money to help those with autism and disabilities.
“If you thought she was a sensible person and didn’t know her background and (ignored) her provocative language about getting rid of kids with special needs from mainstream schools, parts of it were sensible,” Mr Eden said of Senator Hanson’s speech.
“But it’s not going to happen because there’s not going to be the money.”
“I am angry and I am upset but most of all I am disappointed," Ms Husar said.
