text: One Nation leader Pauline Hanson went on the attack on Sunday saying that imposing halal certification on Australians was wrong, while defending the anti-Islam protests across the country. Speaking on the Today show, Ms Hanson described halal certification as a 'profit, money-making racket' and that the public were being 'hoodwinked' over the issue. She also said that the protests on Saturday were about 'criticism, not racism'. On Sunday morning's Today show she was asked for her views on businesses 'going to the wall' if halal certification of food products was scrapped. Scroll down for video . One Nation leader Pauline Hanson speaks at a rally against Islam in Brisbane on Saturday . Ms Hanson said that the protests on Saturday were about 'criticism, not racism' 'It's a profit, money-making racket and has been connected with the Muslim Brotherhood in France. Why can't we have an investigation into where the money actually goes?' she claimed. When told by the interviewer that there was no basis to any of these claims Ms Hanson replied: 'Why do Australians have to pay tax for halal certification? It is a money making racket. Why do Australians have to pay extra when they buy this product?' Ms Hanson added that an investigation was needed into halal certification in Australia. 'It's extortion that has been put onto businesses that you must pay this money,' she said. 'A Muslim does not have to have halal certification, they can say a prayer over their food. Then it's OK. Anti-racism supporters burn Australian flag at in retaliation to the Reclaim Australia protest in Melbourne . The One Nation leader also maintained that imposing halal certification on Australians was wrong . 'We don't need this, we're being hoodwinked. It's a racket, a money-making racket.' Her comments came after protesters clashed with anti-racist activists in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday. Anti-racist activists burned an Australian flag in Melbourne while chanting: 'No right in genocide.' This then ended in scuffles after protesters reacted angrily to the Australian flag being burned. Ms Hanson, who narrowly lost her fight for a seat in the 2015 Queensland election, joined hundreds of protesters in King George Square in Brisbane on Saturday. Many were draped in the Australian flag and carried signs denouncing sharia law and halal certification for Australian products. She denied that there was any violence or vitriol at the rally. 'There was no violence at the Brisbane rally whatsoever. Islam is not a race so therefore we're not talking about racism here whatsoever. Criticism is not racism. We have a right to have a say and have an opinion,' she said. Protesters clashed with anti-racist activists in Melbourne as tensions rose . Ms Hanson denied that there was any violence or confrontations at the Brisbane rally . 'We don't like Islam and we're in fear about what Islam can do to our country, our culture and our way of life.  Australians have a right to say this is not going to work. We want a peaceful cohesive society.' Protests on Saturday in Melbourne turned violent when anti-Islam and anti-racism groups clashed. Police were forced to separate Reclaim Australia supporters - who were holding nationwide rallies against 'sharia law, halal tax and Islamisation' - and opposing protesters by forming a wall at separate rallies. Crowd numbers continued to grow throughout the afternoon, and some protesters had to be treated by paramedics after the ugly clashes. It comes after a Twitter account claiming to be linked with anti-Islam groups has mocked  protests being held around Australia. A clash of anti-Islam and anti-racism groups turned dangerous and violent during protests in Melbourne . Melbourne police formed a barrier between the separate rallies to attempt to disperse the protesters . It comes after a Twitter account claiming to be linked with anti-Islam groups has mocked protests . A Twitter account claiming to be linked with anti-Islam groups has mocked protests being held around Australia . It was originally thought Reclaim Australia had handed over the reigns to one of their supporters to control their feed throughout the protests . Crowd numbers grew during the afternoon, and some protesters had to be treated by paramedics . Across Australia, 16 rallies were scheduled to take place, but Sydney and Melbourne drew the biggest crowd . It was originally thought Reclaim Australia had handed over the reigns to one of their supporters to control their feed throughout the protests. 'Whats wrong with muslims anyway? I dun get it,' one tweet from the account read. 'In the car reading stuff - wots xenophobia? help me out,' another said. However, 'Jeremy' began to tweet a number of joke comments shortly after the Sydney protest got underway. 'Man f**k this noise I'm gonna get stoned in the park peace out.' Once the tweets began to get attention, a 'statement' was released that explained its account was misused and it then said other events around the country would be cancelled. Two people were taken away by police officers after they rushed the stage and attempted to disrupt the rally . More than 100 police officers, eleven mounted on horses were used to form the separation wall . 'Jeremy' began to tweet a number of joke comments shortly after the Sydney protest got underway . Once the tweets began to get attention, a 'statement' was released that explained its account was misused and it then said other events around the country would be cancelled . The tweets were widely shared by people who opposed the rallies . However, organisers behind the Sydney protest were quick to disassociate themselves with the account. 'It's not us,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'Ours is @reclaim_aus.' Twitter users quickly began to poke fun at the group after doubts over the page emerged. 'Maybe before you you practice on something small like reclaiming your Twitter account. Work up to the big stuff slowly,' one said. Several were injured during the violent rally that saw hundreds of people protest for anti-racism . There was a strong police presence throughout the protest, which included riot police . Organisers behind the Sydney protest were quick to disassociate themselves with the account . 'It's not us,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'Ours is @reclaim_aus' Two people were arrested after they attempted to break through a police barricade that separated the groups . Across the country, 16 rallies were scheduled to take place, with events in Sydney and Melbourne appearing to have drawn the biggest crowds. About 500 people attended the rally held in Martin Place, Sydney, which included speeches from former Australia Defence League member Shermon Burgess and Rise Up! Australia Party NSW President Norm Bishop. Hundreds of people attended the 'Reclaim Australia' rally held in Martin Place, Sydney . Protesters in the crowd carried flags and chanted  “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - Oi, Oi, Oi” and many carried banners denouncing Islam . Two people were taken away by officers after they rushed the stage and attempted to disrupt the rally . Protesters cheered as speakers said Australians had to be aware and alert to the threat of Islam and sharia law . There was a strong police presence throughout the protest, which included riot police. Two people were taken away by officers after they rushed the stage and attempted to disrupt the rally. One took the microphone and told the crowd they should be 'ashamed'. In Melbourne, protesters clashed with anti-racism activists in Federation Square. Two people were arrested after they attempted to break through a police barricade that separated the different groups. Several more were injured in the combative protests, according to reports.
target: Ms Hanson slammed imposing halal certification on Australians .
  She described the move as a 'profit, money-making racket'
  One Nation leader denied that any clashes took place at rally in Brisbane .
  'Criticism is not racism. We have a right to have a say,' she says .
  Protesters clashed with anti-racist activists in Sydney and Melbourne .
  Twitter account claimed to be linked with group behind anti-Islam protests .
  Originally believed Reclaim Australia gave control of feed to a supporter .
  However, 'Jeremy' began to tweet jokes as the protest in Sydney started .
  Thousands attend Reclaim Australia rallies across the country .