Senator Pauline Hanson (One Nation) said the end of the White Australia policy caused the current migration issues facing the country [1].
The comments highlight the continued influence of restrictive racial policies in far-right political discourse and the alignment between Australian and British nationalist figures.
Hanson made the remarks during a podcast interview with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which was recorded in the United Kingdom [2]. She said the shift away from the former policy led to increased migration levels that she believes have negatively impacted the nation [1, 2].
During the discussion, Hanson said that migrants come to Australia "purely for the welfare system" [1]. This assertion connects migration trends to the perceived strain on public resources, a central pillar of the One Nation platform.
Beyond policy discussions, Hanson addressed the future of her political movement. She said her daughter, Lee Hanson, has the "potential" to become a leader of the party [1].
The interview took place as part of a broader conversation regarding nationalist movements and border control. Hanson used the platform to reiterate her views on the necessity of stricter migration controls to protect national interests [2, 3].
“Migrants come to Australia "purely for the welfare system".”
Hanson's rhetoric signals a return to explicit racial policy arguments to explain modern socioeconomic challenges. By linking current migration to the defunct White Australia policy, she is appealing to a nationalist base that views multiculturalism as a failure of state security and economic stability.
