One Nation's Pauline Hanson has expressed her frustration with the Coalition's approach, criticizing Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's first budget reply for attempting to attract her party's supporters. During a Sky News interview on Friday, Hanson stated she is 'sick' of the Coalition's attitude.
Taylor's Budget Reply
On Thursday, Taylor proposed indexing income tax thresholds to inflation and took a firm stance on immigration, welfare, housing, small business, and defence. His immigration policy included stripping welfare payments such as JobSeeker and the National Disability Insurance Scheme from permanent residents who have not yet become citizens. Taylor argued that a person is not truly Australian until they have obtained citizenship. He also announced a broader crackdown on immigration, linking the number of foreign entrants to the annual housing construction rate.
Hanson's Response
Hanson accused Taylor of trying to appeal to One Nation voters, referencing the Farrer by-election where her party achieved a landslide victory, nearly doubling the support for Liberal and National candidates. 'Angus Taylor is trying to appeal to the One Nation voters. The Farrer by-election was a big wake-up call for them,' she said. However, she criticized Taylor for lacking specifics, particularly on immigration figures. 'He's talking about knocking immigration back… but he couldn't even put a figure on it,' she added.
Hanson claimed that moderate members within the Liberal Party would hinder Taylor's efforts. 'Angus Taylor is going to be hamstrung by his members of parliament, who are the moderates. And that's going to be his big problem, because they're going to block him. They will block him,' she said. She described some Liberals as 'Labor-lite or Greens,' suggesting they would obstruct conservative policies.
Coalition and One Nation Relations
Despite her criticism, Hanson indicated a willingness to work with the Coalition to 'oust this Labor/Greens/Teal government.' However, she emphasized that the sentiment is not mutual. 'If I have to work with them, I will, but I'm sick of their attitude, and I'm going to prove to the Australian people we have the policies, we have determination, and we can do it,' she stated. She even suggested she would consider becoming prime minister if necessary. 'And if it happens that I need to be prime minister of this country… I'm going to go for it.'
Reactions from Others
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also criticized Taylor, accusing him of borrowing policies from One Nation. 'I didn't know that Angus Taylor had employed (One Nation senator) Malcolm Roberts as a speechwriter, but last night, that's what it looked like,' Albanese said. He questioned the opposition's lack of costings and ability to hold the line.
Migrant advocates responded angrily to Taylor's speech, accusing him of attempting to 'chase votes with fear and division.' Asylum Seeker Resource Centre deputy chief executive Jana Favero stated, 'Taylor's comments tonight are inflammatory and desperate.'
The Daily Mail has contacted Taylor's office for comment.
