Citation of Pauline Hanson
- Pauline Lee Hanson, born on May 27, 1954, in Brisbane, Queensland, is one of Australia’s most polarizing and influential political figures. Known for her outspoken views on immigration, multiculturalism, and national identity, Hanson first entered the public eye in the 1990s and has remained a controversial presence in Australian politics for decades (Sawer, 2007).
- Before entering politics, Hanson worked in various fields, including running a fish and chip shop in Ipswich, Queensland. Her experience as a small business owner helped shape her populist political appeal, as she often presented herself as an “ordinary Australian” standing up for working-class citizens against political elites (Johnson, 2010).
- Hanson’s political journey began with the Liberal Party of Australia, where she initially gained local recognition. However, her membership was revoked in 1996 after making racially charged comments regarding Indigenous Australians. Despite this setback, she ran as an independent candidate and won the seat of Oxley in the 1996 federal election (Leach, Stokes & Ward, 2000).
- Hanson’s maiden speech in Parliament drew national and international attention for its criticism of multiculturalism and its claim that Australia was “in danger of being swamped by Asians.” This statement positioned her as a central figure in the debate over immigration and race relations in Australia (Markus, 2001).
- In 1997, Hanson co-founded the One Nation Party, which became a platform for her nationalist and anti-globalist ideals. The party advocated for restricted immigration, economic protectionism, and the preservation of traditional Australian culture. Within a year, One Nation achieved significant electoral success in Queensland, securing 11 seats in the state parliament (Goot & Watson, 2007).
- However, internal divisions, legal challenges, and accusations of financial impropriety led to the party’s decline by the early 2000s. Hanson herself was briefly imprisoned in 2003 on charges of electoral fraud, though her conviction was later overturned on appeal (Marr, 2004).
- Despite repeated political setbacks, Hanson’s resilience became a hallmark of her public image. She attempted several political comebacks, running as an independent and under various party banners before eventually reviving One Nation in 2013. Her return to prominence reflected a resurgence of populist sentiment within Australia and globally (Betz, 2017).
- Hanson re-entered the Australian Senate in 2016, marking a significant political comeback. Her renewed influence coincided with the rise of right-wing populism worldwide, paralleling movements like Brexit in the United Kingdom and Donald Trump’s presidency in the United States (Mondon & Winter, 2019).
- Throughout her career, Hanson has remained an outspoken critic of Islam, the United Nations, and what she perceives as “political correctness.” Her statements on Muslim immigration and the wearing of burqas in Parliament have drawn both condemnation and support, reinforcing her position as a divisive figure in national politics (Jakubowicz, 2018).
- As of 2025, Hanson continues to serve as the leader of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party. Her influence endures among voters disillusioned with mainstream political parties and skeptical of globalization, environmental regulation, and progressive social reforms (Grant, Moore & Spies-Butcher, 2020).
- While critics accuse Hanson of promoting xenophobia and undermining social cohesion, supporters view her as a defender of free speech and national sovereignty. Her career encapsulates the tensions within Australia’s multicultural society and the challenges of balancing national identity with inclusivity in an era of globalization (Maddox, 2021).
- In academic discourse, Hanson’s political life is often cited as a case study in the persistence of populism in liberal democracies. Her rhetoric, electoral strategy, and resilience underscore the enduring appeal of nationalist politics in times of social change and economic uncertainty (Eatwell & Goodwin, 2018).
References (APA Style)
- Betz, H.-G. (2017). Populist Mobilization and the Decline of the Established Parties. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Eatwell, R., & Goodwin, M. (2018). National Populism: The Revolt Against Liberal Democracy. Pelican.
- Goot, M., & Watson, I. (2007). Explaining Australian Politics. Allen & Unwin.
- Grant, B., Moore, T., & Spies-Butcher, B. (2020). The Resilient Right in Australia. Routledge.
- Jakubowicz, A. (2018). “Populism and Race in Australian Politics.” Australian Journal of Social Issues, 53(1), 4–19.
- Johnson, C. (2010). The Politics of Emotion: Populism, Fear, and the Political. University of Queensland Press.
- Leach, M., Stokes, G., & Ward, I. (2000). The Rise and Fall of One Nation. University of Queensland Press.
- Maddox, M. (2021). Nationalism and Religion in Australian Politics. Springer.
- Markus, A. (2001). Race: John Howard and the Remaking of Australia. Allen & Unwin.
- Marr, D. (2004). Dark Victory. Allen & Unwin.
- Mondon, A., & Winter, A. (2019). Reactionary Democracy: How Racism and the Populist Far Right Became Mainstream. Verso.
- Sawer, M. (2007). Australia: The Feminist Challenge and Beyond. Oxford University Press.
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