One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has forcefully responded to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's criticism, accusing him of crossing a line and inciting political violence with his rhetoric. The exchange follows One Nation's historic win in the Western Australian Secret Harbour by-election, a seat previously considered a Labor stronghold.
Albanese, addressing the Queensland Labor conference on Sunday, characterized the rise of "hard right populists" as a growing threat and specifically targeted Hanson's party. He stated that parties like One Nation "have no serious answers to our problems," accusing them of being willing to "say anything and do anything to win votes" by "bend[ing] any facts" and peddling "misinformation and disinformation" to turn Australians against each other. He emphasized the need to "defeat them" and asserted that Labor supports multiculturalism as a source of Australia's strength, upholding the equality of all citizens.
The Prime Minister also referenced specific comments attributed to Hanson, including remarks about Australians being "lazy and overpaid," that people working from home are "bludging," that domestic violence is "sometimes a woman's fault," and a perceived desire to create a "monoculture."
Hanson retorted on Monday morning, asserting that Albanese and his Treasurer were "pouring petrol all over" political discourse, contrary to calls to "turn down the heat." She argued that labeling democratically elected opponents as "dangerous" and a "threat to our country" encourages treating them as such and cited the murder of Ann Widdecombe in Britain as a warning about "poisonous political rhetoric."
She further contended that voters are "entitled to vote for One Nation without being told by the Treasurer and the Prime Minister that their democratic choice is a danger to the nation." Hanson shifted focus to economic management, stating that "incompetent economic management" by the government is driving up rent, mortgages, and bills, and that the "real danger to Jim and Albanese is that the people of Australia are coming for their government… at the ballot box."
The Secret Harbour by-election saw a significant 18 percent swing towards One Nation, resulting in a two-candidate-preferred outcome of approximately 57 percent for One Nation and 43 percent for Labor. Labor's primary vote fell by 22 percent to 24 percent, while One Nation achieved a primary vote of 39 percent, a substantial increase from its nine percent in the 2025 WA state election for that seat. Candidate Luke Herdegen secured the victory for One Nation against Labor's Georgia Tree.