Australia declares war on the racist politician who is proving bad for business

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Polls show support for her One Nation party at between 7 and 8 per cent - enough to make her the third force in domestic politics and deliver an influential bloc in parliament if that is maintained to the next election, due by mid-1999 She has also gained a high regional profile, with some polls showing she is better known than Mr Howard among Asian executives

In Japan, comic strips have drawn the Hanson phenomenon into their story- lines, painting her as a racist damaging Australia's reputation and accusing Mr Howard of reviving racism in domestic politics Foreign Minister Alexander Downer attacked Ms Hanson's policies during a speech in Singapore this week as "ethically reprehensible" and suicidal for Australian prosperity