Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, said the Australian federal budget takes wealth from people who have worked extremely hard [1].

Hanson's criticism targets the Labor government's approach to tax reform. The dispute centers on changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, which Hanson argues unfairly penalize those who have built wealth through labor and investment [4, 5].

Speaking in an interview with Sky News Australia, Hanson said, "I’m against what they’ve done because you’re taking from those people that have worked extremely hard" [1]. She described the fiscal plan as a "Sheriff of Nottingham budget," referencing the fictional character known for taxing the poor to benefit the crown [2].

Hanson said the federal budget is "communist" amid the ongoing row over tax reforms [3]. The budget was announced in Canberra on Feb. 4, 2026 [6].

One Nation has consistently opposed the redistribution of wealth through these specific tax mechanisms. Hanson said the current trajectory of the budget serves to strip assets from citizens, rather than encouraging economic growth [4, 5].

“"I’m against what they’ve done because you’re taking from those people that have worked extremely hard."”

Hanson's rhetoric reflects a broader ideological clash regarding the role of the state in wealth redistribution. By framing tax reforms on negative gearing and capital gains as 'communist,' she is positioning One Nation as the primary defender of private property and investment incentives against Labor's attempts to broaden the tax base.