Pauline Hanson's National Press Club Speech Signals Federal Campaign Launch

Pauline Hanson's combative National Press Club address may mark the start of her federal campaign, says journalist Margo Kingston, who discusses the implications with Guardian Australia.

Brit Brief 19/06/2026 14:15

Pauline Hanson's National Press Club Speech Signals Federal Campaign Launch — Hanson's Press Club Speech Signals Campaign Launch

For the first time in her 30-year political career, Pauline Hanson fronted the National Press Club this week. It was a blistering address, and a combative question-and-answer round with journalists – with Hanson attacking multiculturalism, the climate crisis, transgender rights, Indigenous policy, paid parental leave and the two public broadcasters.

Longtime journalist Margo Kingston knows Hanson better than most – having covered the One Nation leader since her first rise to prominence in 1996, and also written a book about her 1998 election campaign. Kingston speaks to Guardian Australia political editor, Tom McIlroy, about why she thinks Hanson’s incendiary speech is the beginning of her federal campaign.

Media Union Blasts Hanson’s Attack on Guardian Journalist

The media union has condemned Pauline Hanson’s ‘bitter, unprofessional’ attack on a Guardian journalist during the press club event.

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Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Reflections on Political Threats

We laughed at Trump’s run for president and marvel at the rise of Pauline Hanson. Why didn’t we see the sleeping threat? One Nation’s ‘incredibly sloppy’ financial reports reveal more than $1m in missing or worthless assets.

Photograph: Lukas Coch/EPA