Pauline Hanson’s speech ‘shameful’ and echoed ‘rubbish’ from rightwing figures in UK and US, critics say

Pauline Hanson has been roundly condemned for her National Press Club speech, with advocacy groups accusing the One Nation leader of using “hatred for political gain” while the Greens say Hanson is echoing “rubbish” lines from rightwing figures in the UK and US. In Hanson’s first address after 20 years in politics, the leader claimed transgender ideology “has penetrated almost every regulatory authority”. Hanson also claimed without evidence that schoolchildren were having dangerous ideology “imposed” on them, and likened trans awareness to militant Islam. Equality Australia’s legal director, Heather Corkhill, said the language used could make trans people greater targets for hate and violence. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email “Hanson’s comments are simply shameful, and are a stark example of the extreme rhetoric being directed at trans Australians,” she said. “At a time when we are seeing an alarming rise in often violent, targeted attacks against LGBTIQ+ people, Hanson has taken her opportunity to accelerate this hatred for political gain. “This is a bald attempt to turn a small and vulnerable minority into a political scapegoat.” The group said polling for Equality Australia by Redbridge Group in March 2025 found 81% of Australians agreed or strongly agreed that trans people deserve the same rights and protections as other Australians. …