Pauline Hanson's National Press Club address signals start of federal campaign

Pauline Hanson gave a blistering address at the National Press Club, attacking multiculturalism, climate policy, and transgender rights. Journalist Margo Kingston says it may be the start of her federal campaign.

Capital Post 19/06/2026 14:10

Pauline Hanson's National Press Club address signals start of federal campaign — Hanson's Press Club speech may launch federal campaign

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.

Margo Kingston's insight

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.

Read more: Media union blasts Pauline Hanson’s ‘bitter, unprofessional’ attack on Guardian journalist. 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.

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