Key facts
- Pauline Hanson declared Australia must be monocultural, not multicultural.
- She vowed to abolish SBS and reform the ABC if elected.
- Hanson criticized transgender rights and called for a ban on abortions after 20 weeks.
- She advocated for reduced migration and criticized the government's economic policies.
- One Nation proposes policies including mandatory visa cancellation for criminal offenders and withdrawal from the U.N. Refugee Convention.
Pauline Hanson, leader of the One Nation party, delivered a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra, advocating for a monocultural Australian society and criticizing multiculturalism, high migration, and what she termed 'transgender ideology'.
During her address, Hanson stated that Australia cannot be a multicultural society but must exist under a single cultural umbrella. She argued that high migration has led to the country losing its identity and national values. She also pledged to abolish the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) and overhaul the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), potentially introducing a license fee for metropolitan viewers.
Hanson also voiced strong opinions on social issues, calling for a ban on abortions after 20 weeks, with exemptions for maternal health. She criticized the government's support for transgender rights, promising to dismiss the sex discrimination commissioner and claiming that government instruments are dedicated to a 'transgender ideology'.
Economically, Hanson called for reduced migration to help alleviate the housing crisis and criticized the federal government's recent budget changes to the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing, labeling Treasurer Jim Chalmers' defence as 'pathetic'. She also defended coal and gas, stating environmental rules should not hinder the economy and that these energy sources are essential for affordable power.
The speech was briefly interrupted by a banner protesting Hanson's past opposition to minimum wage increases. Hanson defended her stance by stating small business owners are struggling under current industrial relations rules. She also accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of lying and criticized the federal public service.
Hanson's remarks come as One Nation shows increased support in opinion polls, with her surpassing Albanese as the preferred prime minister in a recent Newspoll.