Protesters have disrupted Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club address in Canberra, as the One Nation leader outlined her party’s stance on multiculturalism, energy policy and the economy.
More than 30 people gathered outside the venue as Hanson arrived, while a further interruption occurred inside during her speech.
Early in the address, a poster descended at the back of the room, accusing Hanson of hypocrisy over wages and pay rises, forcing a brief pause while staff removed it.
“Opposed a pay rise for workers … while I took a $100,000 pay rise for myself” the poster read, alongside an image of Hanson.
An organiser had earlier warned there would be no “stunts” during the event, and Hanson continued her speech after the disruption.
Speaking to a packed audience, which included One Nation staff and several political figures, Hanson said Australia “cannot be a multicultural society”.
“We are a multiracial society, but we must be monocultural. Australians must live under the one cultural umbrella,” she said.
She described multiculturalism as a “failed policy” and said opposition to it was “not racist”.
“Surely opposing that is not racist, it’s common sense,” she said.
Hanson also used the address to criticise government energy policy, saying One Nation would wind back renewable energy targets and support a broader energy mix including nuclear power.
“One Nation is saying, put everything into the energy mix,” she said.
“Let everyone share the wealth that is under our feet.
“We are one of the richest resource nations in the world.
“I am saying get ideology out of the way.”
She also criticised CGT reforms, arguing they were worsening cost-of-living pressures and intergenerational inequality.
Hanson doubled down saying she will not be silenced.
“In fact, there are always some people, usually a lot of people, who get offended by what I say or do, even offended by my very existence,” she said.
“I don’t fear it. I embrace it. But many people aren’t like me. In Australia today, in our democracy, the real tragedy is people are frightened of what will happen to them if they just speak up.”
Outside the venue, protesters accused Hanson of promoting harmful rhetoric and opposing policies towards renewable energy and abortion rights.
Chants of “Pauline Hanson go to hell” were heard as the group gathered under police supervision.
One speaker described Hanson as “the most dangerous politician in Australia as she drives a racist far right body into the mainstream.”
The group later marched through nearby streets chanting slogans like “we will fight, we will win, put the racists in the bins,” and “Pauline Hanson has got to go,” opposing the senator and her party.
Hanson also addressed economic policy during her speech, criticising the federal government’s approach to housing and debt, citing Peter Costello’s debt-free declaration in April 2006.
“It is 20 years since Peter Costello made that declaration. In that time the debt has climbed from zero to almost $1 trillion,” she said.
She also criticised Treasurer Jim Chalmers, saying he “hasn’t learnt much”, and accused the government of misleading young Australians on economic reform.
Hanson argued policies were “punishing ambitious and aspirational young people who are trying to build a future, to build wealth, to build independence and to invest in Australia”.
The event continued despite the disruptions, with Hanson continuing her address after brief interruptions.
Image: 7News/ Sky News
