Pauline Hanson, leader of Australia's One Nation party, has used an interview with far-right British activist Tommy Robinson to lament the end of the White Australia policy and promote her daughter as the future of the party. The interview, published on Friday, saw Hanson make unsubstantiated claims about Muslim communities and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Hanson's claims about NDIS and Muslim communities
During the podcast, Hanson alleged that Muslim areas are disproportionately rorting the NDIS. 'A lot of them are ripping the system off who are a lot from the Muslim areas and they’re getting on the scheme,' she said, while also acknowledging that other Australians are involved. Health Minister Mark Butler rejected these claims, stating, 'I’m not sure where Ms Hanson is getting her figures from but they’ve never been provided to me as the minister for disability and the minister for the NDIS.'
Criticism of Hanson's interview with convicted criminal
Butler also criticised Hanson for appearing with Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, a convicted criminal. 'I’m loath to respond to a podcast between Ms Hanson and this convicted criminal, who frankly has been disowned by so many leading figures on the right,' Butler told ABC radio. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called the interview 'un-Australian' and urged Hanson to apologise.
Blame on Whitlam government for immigration changes
In the hour-long interview, Hanson blamed the Whitlam government for ending the White Australia policy in the 1970s, which she claimed led to problems with migration. Robinson asked about the 'changing face of Australia due to Islamic immigration,' to which Hanson replied, 'They opened up and got rid of the White Australian policy then they started bringing in the different migrants.' She contrasted earlier European migrants who 'assimilated' with newer arrivals.
Hanson promotes daughter as future leader
Hanson also spoke about her daughter, Lee Hanson, who works as a senior adviser to a NSW senator in a role worth up to $180,000 per year. Lee Hanson nearly won a Senate seat at the 2025 election and is the party's national executive manager. Hanson described her daughter as 'a cluey kid' and 'the future,' but said leadership must be earned, not given through nepotism.
Background on Hanson's UK visit
Hanson is visiting the UK for conferences and a holiday with billionaire benefactor Gina Rinehart. She is scheduled to address the Conservative Political Action Conference in London, where Nigel Farage and Liz Truss will also speak. Hanson's chief adviser, James Ashby, claimed the meeting with Robinson was organised by Channel Seven for a Spotlight segment. A Seven spokesperson confirmed they paid for some production costs but did not organise the meeting.
