One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has sparked controversy after suggesting political opponents should be sent to an island during an interview with former UK prime minister Liz Truss.
Comments on The Liz Truss Show
The Queensland senator made the comments during an appearance on The Liz Truss Show, while discussing environmental activists and independent politicians. They also discussed what Truss describes as “the blob” — a term she uses for public servants and institutions she believes obstruct conservative governments.
“We’ve got some of them sitting on the floor of parliament,” Senator Hanson said. “They’re called the Greenies, and a couple of the independents. How about we just round them all up and give them an island or somewhere? And say, ‘Here, go and do what you want to do over there. Leave us alone.’”
The comment prompted laughter from Truss, who replied: “Didn’t we try that with Australia in the first place?”
Overseas Media Tour and Meeting with Tommy Robinson
The One Nation leader has been conducting a series of interviews with conservative British commentators during what appears to be an overseas media tour, while also attending the UK’s Conservative Political Action Conference. Among those she has met is controversial British activist Tommy Robinson, whom Senator Hanson described as “brave” during a visit to his hometown of Luton.
Political Stance and Coalition Ruled Out
Elsewhere in the interview, Hanson ruled out entering a formal coalition agreement with the Liberal and National parties, saying she wants “to remain totally independent”. Hanson also repeated her call for Australia to withdraw from the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, arguing the agreement was “out of date”.
“I’m sorry, I don’t care about those people,” she said of asylum seekers, adding Australia should decide who enters the country without being bound by international agreements.
Public Service Reduction and Balance of Power
She also called for a reduction in the size of the federal public service. She claimed Australia had about 216,000 public servants, including an increase of 50,000 under the current government, and said One Nation would push for a “big clean-out” if it held the balance of power or formed government.
“If One Nation does get government or is in a position to have that shared balance of power in either house, yes, we’re going to push for it,” she said.
