Outspoken Australian politician Pauline Hanson has ignited fresh controversy by demanding a comprehensive audit of all government grants awarded to Aboriginal organisations, claiming taxpayers' money is being squandered.
The One Nation leader alleges millions of dollars in funding intended to support Indigenous communities have been mismanaged or misused, though she provided no specific evidence to support these claims.
'Accountability Needed' Says Hanson
Senator Hanson told Parliament: 'We need full transparency about where this money is going. Australians deserve to know if their hard-earned tax dollars are being properly spent to help our First Nations people.'
Her call for an audit comes amid ongoing debates about the effectiveness of Indigenous support programs and growing scrutiny of how federal funding is allocated.
Mixed Reactions to Audit Proposal
While some conservative politicians have backed Hanson's proposal, Indigenous leaders and advocacy groups have strongly condemned it as politically motivated.
'This is just another attempt to undermine support for Aboriginal communities,' said one prominent Indigenous activist who wished to remain anonymous.
The government has yet to formally respond to Hanson's demands, though sources suggest the proposal is unlikely to gain sufficient parliamentary support.
History of Controversial Statements
This isn't the first time Senator Hanson has courted controversy regarding Indigenous affairs. The veteran politician has previously made headlines for her sceptical stance on various Aboriginal support initiatives.
Political analysts suggest this latest move may be aimed at shoring up support among her conservative base ahead of upcoming elections.
