One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has come under fire after joking that political opponents should be ’rounded up’ and sent away.
Hanson made the remarks on former British prime minister Liz Truss’s podcast as she tours the United Kingdom and meets with other right-wing populist figures.
Truss asked Hanson whether Australia had a political ‘blob’ similar to the one she claims exists in Britain.
‘In Britain we’ve got this thing called the blob, and it’s a groupthink of people that believe in open borders, they believe in net zero, they believe in progressive ideology, transgender ideology,’ she said.
‘Similar, yes, we have, and we’ve got some of them sitting on the floor of parliament, they’re called the Greens and a couple of the independents,’ Hanson replied.
‘How about we just round them all up and give them an island or somewhere and say, “You go and do what you want to do over there, leave us alone”.’
‘Didn’t we try that with Australia in the first place?’ Truss replied.
The remarks quickly split opinion online, with some dismissing Hanson’s comments and others saying they reinforced their support for the One Nation leader.
Pauline Hanson made the remarks on former British prime minister Liz Truss’s podcast as she tours the United Kingdom and meets with other right-wing populist figures
‘Imagine the outrage if Albo had made the same comment,’ one wrote.
‘We would never hear the end of it. But because it’s Pauline, it’s brushed off as “just a joke”.’
‘I am not laughing,’ another said.
A third compared Hanson to US President Donald Trump and said her appeal reflected deeper political divisions.
‘She’s like Trump. Some put it down to crazy ramblings, some think she’s amazing. It’s a very scary time,’ the commenter said.
Hanson’s supporters rushed to her defence.
‘She doesn’t speak gutter talk like our PM. I will be voting for her,’ one supporter posted.
Another said: ‘Then don’t vote for her. I will be.’
Hanson (right) has met with Holly Valance (left) among other right wing British figures
Others expressed frustration over the personal attacks in national politics.
‘Imagine how much better this country could be if politicians put the time they spend dragging each other into actually doing productive work,’ another said.
Truss echoed many of Hanson’s concerns, repeatedly arguing Britain had given too much power to bureaucrats, lawyers and unelected officials.
She claimed a ‘group of people’ had infiltrated key institutions and were using government departments and public bodies to advance a progressive agenda.
The former British prime minister has previously blamed the so-called ‘deep state’ and entrenched bureaucratic interests for stymieing her policy agenda during her short 49-day leadership, which ended in resignation.
Hanson is set to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in London, which starts Friday.
Truss is serving as chair of the event.
Promoting her appearance, Hanson promised to deliver her trademark direct message.
Hanson (left) also has met with Tommy Robinson (right) who was interviewed by Karl Stefanovic
‘I don’t pull any punches, Liz. What you see is what you get,’ she said.
Hanson has also met with controversial far-right activist Tommy Robinson during her visit to Britain.
Robinson recently made headlines after an interview with Today host Karl Stefanovic sparked criticism that led to Nine bringing forward his departure from the breakfast program ahead of his planned exit later this year.
The One Nation leader also caught up with former Neighbours star Holly Valance, a vocal supporter of Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage.