Pauline Hanson told the National Press Club in Canberra on June 17 that Australia cannot be multicultural and must instead exist as a monocultural society where all Australians live under one cultural umbrella [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. She said, "We cannot be a multicultural society. We are a multiracial society, but we must be monocultural," emphasizing her goal to unify under a single culture [1]. Hanson blamed Australia's housing crisis on high migration levels and promised to slash migration if elected [1, 2, 3, 6]. She cited 2021 census data showing 23% of Australians speak a language other than English at home to argue multiculturalism undermines social cohesion [4].
In her speech, Hanson pledged to abolish SBS, overhaul the ABC public broadcaster, and impose a license fee on metropolitan households [1, 4, 5]. She vowed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis by increasing spending on homelessness and cutting worker protections to support small businesses [1, 5]. On social issues, Hanson called for banning abortion after 20 weeks, with exemptions for the mother's health [1]. She launched a harsh attack on transgender rights, promising to sack the sex discrimination commissioner. She claimed "Almost every instrument of government [is] dedicated to a transgender ideology which seeks to redefine humanity" [1, 7].
Hanson also criticized climate change policies, calling climate change a "hoax" and opposing renewables while supporting fossil fuels and nuclear energy [4, 5]. She accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of lying and said the public is tired of government dishonesty [1]. Despite Labor's efforts to ease inflation and housing pressures with fuel excise cuts and tax reforms, Hanson said voters want change [2, 3, 6].
Critics condemned her speech. Equality Australia's legal director Heather Corkhill called Hanson's comments "simply shameful" and an example of extreme rhetoric targeting transgender Australians [7]. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called Hanson "deplorable" and said she repeated "the same old rubbish" seen from far-right groups abroad [7]. A 2025 poll found 81% of Australians support equal rights for transgender people, underscoring the opposition to Hanson's positions [7].
One Nation's poll rise has accelerated since May 2025 following the collapse of the center-right coalition vote, positioning Hanson as a force in upcoming elections [2, 3, 6]. She has also claimed to have raised A$4 million in donations targeting Albanese's government [1].
