Pauline Hanson's assertion that Australia is a monocultural nation has been widely rejected by historians and multicultural advocates, who argue the claim erases the country's Indigenous heritage and long-standing diversity.
Hanson's controversial statement
Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, the One Nation leader declared Australia was "never a multicultural country" and that it was "a monocultural country with a monocultural history." She claimed that the "Australian culture" was being eroded by immigration and called for a return to "traditional values."
Her comments drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labeling them "divisive and incorrect." The Liberal Party's Indigenous Australians spokesperson Julian Leeser said Hanson's view was "at odds with the facts of our history."
Historical evidence contradicts claim
Historians point out that Indigenous Australians have inhabited the continent for over 65,000 years, with more than 250 distinct language groups and complex cultures. "Australia was never monocultural; it was always a land of many nations," said Professor Marcia Langton, a prominent Indigenous scholar at the University of Melbourne.
Since British colonization, Australia has seen waves of immigration from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, contributing to a multicultural society. According to the 2021 Census, over 30% of Australia's population was born overseas, and the country is home to people from nearly 200 different birthplaces.
Impact on social cohesion
Experts warn that Hanson's rhetoric could fuel division and xenophobia. "Such claims undermine the social fabric by promoting a false narrative of cultural purity," said Dr. Tim Soutphommasane, a former Race Discrimination Commissioner. "Multiculturalism has been a success story in Australia, and denying that risks encouraging intolerance."
The Australian Human Rights Commission echoed these concerns, stating that "misrepresenting our history can have real-world consequences for community harmony."
Political reactions
Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy called Hanson's remarks "insulting to every Indigenous Australian." Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young added, "We are a nation built on the oldest living culture and enriched by migration. To say otherwise is to rewrite history."
One Nation did not respond to requests for further comment.
