One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has denied rumours of a rift with party recruit Barnaby Joyce following her European tour and a podcast with far-right British activist Tommy Robinson. Hanson also refuted claims that taxpayers covered any costs from her trip to a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Sicily with billionaire Gina Rinehart.
Podcast and Political Fallout
On Friday, Hanson appeared in a one-hour podcast with Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, making unsubstantiated claims about Muslim Australians. Reports suggested the podcast worsened a rift with Joyce, but Hanson denied this in a video filmed in London and shared on social media. “We get on so well together and he’s having the time of his life,” she said, adding that Joyce called her earlier in the week, saying, “You are the best leader I have ever worked with in any political party.”
Joyce also denied a rift on Friday, telling Channel Nine’s Today Show that people were “trying to divide us up.” He described their relationship as “very easy, constructive.” However, on Saturday, Joyce distanced himself from Hanson’s claim that Islam is “based on terrorism,” telling The Australian he disagreed. Australia’s Islamophobia envoy warned that such language could have violent consequences.
CPAC Appearance and Controversial Remarks
Hanson was in London to speak at the inaugural British spin-off of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), alongside Nigel Farage and former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss. She addressed a CPAC dinner on Friday with media reportedly barred. Leaked audio, reported by Nine papers, captured her saying, “immigration is destroying our country as it has destroyed yours.”
On Saturday, she gave a livestreamed speech on YouTube, warning that Australia was following Britain into cultural decline due to mass immigration, multiculturalism, Islam, net zero policies, and “woke” ideology. “I went to Tower Hamlets just last week. Well, wasn’t that a rude awakening to me. I felt I was in another country. I didn’t believe this was England,” she said, adding, “London? No, thank you. I see this happening too in some parts of Australia. I believe we’re about five to 10 years behind England.” She also told attendees, “Do not apologise for being white. I’m sick of hearing about white privilege.”
Farage compared Hanson’s polling rise to Donald Trump’s US victory, saying, “This political revolution has happened in America. It’s happening in Australia as we speak. Pauline: amazing.”
Sicily Trip and Cost Questions
Earlier in the week, Hanson took a break from her UK trip to attend the Dolce & Gabbana event in Taormina, Sicily, with Rinehart. Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland also attended, along with actors Christian Bale and Jennifer Lopez. In her video, Hanson said she was invited and described it as “fabulous” but “not something I will ever go to again,” adding, “It’s no cost to the taxpayer.” She did not explain how costs were covered and did not answer an ABC reporter’s question on whether she paid for the trip.
Joyce said it was “a fair bet” Rinehart paid. Rinehart’s company, Hancock Prospecting, referred questions to Hanson’s office. Hanson criticised Liberal leader Angus Taylor for saying she was “living it up” in Italy instead of addressing Senator Malcolm Roberts’ conspiracy theories. “Why don’t you talk to your own members of parliament like Bridget McKenzie, Matt Sullivan and Colin Boyce, all here visiting Italy?” she said.
