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The Guardian World1 min read
Channelling Trump and deriding journalists: five key moments from Pauline Hanson’s Press Club speech
TL;DR
Pauline Hanson delivered a significant speech at the National Press Club, attacking multiculturalism, climate change, and the media. The address marked her strong presence in Australian politics and was interrupted by protests against her stance on wage rises.
Key points
- Pauline Hanson spoke at the National Press Club.
- She criticized multiculturalism and climate change.
- The speech was interrupted by a protest.
- Hanson's address highlighted her political significance.
- She opposes wage rises for the lowest-paid workers.
Mentioned in this story
One NationNational Press ClubPauline Hanson
Australian politics
A nationally televised address to the National Press Club was perhaps the clearest proof yet of Pauline Hanson’s arrival in the mainstream of Australian politics.
The One Nation leader used the platform to rail against multiculturalism, the climate change “hoax” and the media in a speech that was interrupted by a protest highlighting her opposition to wage rises for the lowest-paid workers.
Here are the main takeaways.
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1. Same old message, new target
Three decades ago, Hanson used her first speech to federal parliament to argue that multiculturalism should be “abolished” and Australia was at risk of being “swamped by Asians”.
She made similar claims on Wednesday, only this time pointing the finger at “radical Islam” and non-English speakers for allegedly eroding the national identity.
“We 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 in a prepared speech that ran for more than 50 minutes – far longer than most press club addresses.
Asked if Australia was in danger of being “swamped by Muslims”, Hanson said: “Not if I get any say in it.”
Hanson pointed to a series of “facts” to justify her argument, including 2021 census figures that found 23% of people spoke a language other than English at home.
“How can you generate social cohesion if people can’t speak the language?” she said, ignoring the fact that fluent English speakers might use another language at home.
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2. The climate change ‘hoax’
In loud echoes of Donald Trump, Hanson directly blamed the “hoax” of climate change for driving up energy prices and, in turn, cost-of-living pressure.
Hanson’s solution? Ban wind and solar farms, cancel Snowy Hydro 2.0, end subsidies for renewables, double-down on fossil fuels and build a nuclear reactor.
The One Nation leader didn’t rule out taxpayers underwriting a nuclear power plant, reviving a concept that voters comprehensively rejected at the last federal election when Peter Dutton proposed it (albeit on a much larger scale).
The cost of nuclear power has consistently been found to be more expensive than a mix of renewables and storage, while the construction of overseas reactors has routinely blown out in cost and timeframe.
As for Hanson’s assertion that renewables were helping to drive up prices, the most recent report found that the cost of generating electricity in a grid powered by 82% renewables – which is the Albanese government’s target – would be a third cheaper than current wholesale electricity costs.
Q&A
What were the main topics Pauline Hanson addressed in her Press Club speech?
Pauline Hanson focused on multiculturalism, climate change, and criticism of the media during her speech.
How did Pauline Hanson's speech reflect her position in Australian politics?
Her speech demonstrated her strong presence in mainstream Australian politics, marking a significant moment for her party, One Nation.
What protest occurred during Pauline Hanson's National Press Club address?
The speech was interrupted by a protest that highlighted her opposition to wage rises for the lowest-paid workers.
What criticisms did Pauline Hanson make about climate change?
She referred to climate change as a 'hoax' during her address at the National Press Club.
