Pauline Hanson’s nationally televised National Press Club address perhaps signals her arrival in the Australian political mainstream. The One Nation leader used the platform to rail against multiculturalism, the climate change ‘hoax’ and the media in a speech that was interrupted by a protest highlighting her opposition to wage rises for the lowest-paid workers.
1. Same Old Message, New Target
Three decades ago, Hanson used her first speech to federal parliament to argue that multiculturalism should be ‘abolished’ and Australia was at risk of being ‘swamped by Asians’. She made similar claims on Wednesday, only this time pointing the finger at ‘radical Islam’ and non-English speakers for allegedly eroding the national identity. ‘We cannot be a multicultural society. We are a multiracial society, but we must be monocultural. Australians must live under the one cultural umbrella,’ she said in a prepared speech that ran for more than 50 minutes.
Asked if Australia was in danger of being ‘swamped by Muslims’, Hanson said: ‘Not if I get any say in it.’ Hanson pointed to a series of ‘facts’ to justify her argument, including 2021 census figures that found 23% of people spoke a language other than English at home. ‘How can you generate social cohesion if people can’t speak the language?’ she said, ignoring the fact that fluent English speakers might use another language at home.
2. The Climate Change ‘Hoax’
In loud echoes of Donald Trump, Hanson directly blamed the ‘hoax’ of climate change for driving up energy prices and cost-of-living pressure. Her solution: ban wind and solar farms, cancel Snowy Hydro 2.0, end subsidies for renewables, double down on fossil fuels and build a nuclear reactor. The One Nation leader didn’t rule out taxpayers underwriting a nuclear power plant, reviving a concept voters rejected at the last federal election. The cost of nuclear power has consistently been found to be more expensive than a mix of renewables and storage, while overseas reactors have routinely blown out in cost and timeframe. The most recent CSIRO GenCost report found that generating electricity in a grid powered by 82% renewables would be a third cheaper than current wholesale electricity costs.
3. A Donald Trump-Style Attack on the Media
Hanson’s verbal assault on the media was straight from the Trump playbook. She vowed to defund SBS – declaring ‘there’s no need for it any more’ – and turn the ABC into a subscription service in capital cities. Hanson launched a personal and unfounded attack on Guardian Australia’s Sarah Martin, whose reporting has exposed Hanson’s repeated failure to declare gifts and the unravelling of One Nation’s local branches. ‘I’ve never seen a person that’s such a trashy journalist,’ she said after Martin asked if Hanson had a role in her daughter’s employment. Hanson also told SBS political editor Anna Henderson she would be ‘without a job’ when asked about scrapping the broadcaster. While welcoming heightened scrutiny, she sought to set terms, telling journalists they didn’t have licence to ‘pile on’ or ‘delegitimise’ her party. She was evasive when asked if she would commit to daily press conferences open to all media during the election campaign.
4. ‘Too Many Abortions in This Country’
One Nation’s website states it wants to reduce the gestational limit for abortion without specifying a limit. Asked to clarify, Hanson said 20 weeks was too late and called for a national debate. ‘I’m not against people in circumstances – women that need to have an abortion for medical reasons, or for some circumstance, I’d rather educate women to use contraceptives than to go through an abortion. Too many abortions in this country,’ she said.
5. The Champion of the Workers?
Hanson’s self-styled image as the battlers’ champion has been challenged by opponents who highlight her history of voting against pro-worker laws. Her recent criticism of an increase to the minimum wage was depicted in a banner briefly unfurled during her speech, a stunt claimed by activist group GetUp. Hanson defended repeatedly siding with bosses when confronted with her voting record. ‘Is it really working for small business out there?’ she said.
