One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has revealed she would support banning migration from some Muslim-majority countries over concerns about “radical Islamist” ideologies. In an interview with Sky News Sunday Agenda, Ms Hanson stated she wanted restrictions on arrivals from certain nations while reiterating her long-standing push to ban the burqa.
Hanson’s Stance on Muslim Immigration
When asked directly whether she wanted to ban Muslim immigration to Australia, Ms Hanson said there were “certain countries” she would consider banning. “If you've got people coming from these countries that are radical Islamists and their ideology is not compatible with our country, yes I do,” she said. “There's certain countries I probably would ban them coming into Australia… and I do want to ban the burqa because it's incompatible with our culture.”
The One Nation leader argued that previous governments had already been selective about migration intake from particular nations but had done so without acknowledging it. “I know the former government were very mindful where they brought immigrants in from. They did it in an unhanded way. I'll be open and honest with people,” she said.
Renewed Call for Burqa Ban
Ms Hanson also renewed her calls for Australia to outlaw the burqa, arguing it was incompatible with Australian culture. “I do want to ban the burqa because it's incompatible with our culture and our way of life and it should not be worn in Australia,” she said. “Twenty-four countries around the world have actually banned it and we should be doing it here.”
The comments came after Ms Hanson was pressed over controversial remarks she made earlier this year, when she said: “How can you tell me there are good Muslims?” Ms Hanson defended the comments, saying they had been taken out of context and were made during a discussion about “radical Islam”. “Let's put it in full context because we were talking about radical Islam and I said: ‘Then how can you tell me there are any good Muslims if Jihad was called?’” Ms Hanson said. “Let's put in full-context, alright, instead of the gotcha moments because I'm sick and tired of it.”
Broader Concerns and Polling Data
Ms Hanson said she stood by her broader concerns about Islamic extremism and argued Europe had experienced social unrest linked to migration and integration. “There's a lot of unrest in this country and when I look countries like Britain or Canada or Germany or France. They've got a hell of a problem over there,” she said.
One Nation has continued to surge ahead of Labor and the Coalition in the polls on the issue of immigration. The latest Sky News Pulse found 36 per cent of Australians viewed One Nation as the political party best placed to manage immigration, up from 29 per cent in February. By comparison, the Coalition was trusted by just 18 per cent of voters, alongside Labor on 18 per cent, while 21 per cent were undecided.
The polling also found more than 60 per cent of Australians wanted migration levels reduced. Forty-four per cent of respondents favoured a “big decrease” in immigration, with another 18 per cent supporting at least a “small decrease”. The calls for lower migration were consistent across the political spectrum, with voters of every party, including the Greens, preferring less immigration rather than more.
Government Migration Figures
The Albanese government has overshot its net overseas migration numbers, according to new figures released in the federal budget. Australia will welcome 35,000 additional people in 2025-26 compared to the previous forecast, and an extra 20,000 in 2026-27 financial year. The upward revisions mean that there will be a total net overseas migration of 1.2 million people between 2025 and 2030. “NOM is forecast to be moderately higher than previously expected in 2025–26 and 2026–27,” Treasury said in the 2026-27 budget papers.
