Pauline Hanson’s Europe tour fuels One Nation poll surge and political backlash

Senator Pauline Hanson of One Nation spent a week travelling in Europe, meeting far‑right activist Tommy Robinson, attending the CPAC UK conference in London and visiting Italy with donor Gina Rinehart. During the trip she criticised the end of the White Australia policy, called for mass deportations and said Australia had been “flooded” by migrants.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded that Hanson was “talking Australia down”, and Labour minister Tanya Plibersek clashed with her on the issue. One Nation leader Barnaby Joyce defended Hanson while rejecting any return to the White Australia policy.

Polling released after the tour shows One Nation’s primary vote rising to 30 % – tying Labor – while the Liberal‑National coalition rose to 19 %. Seven Network’s “Spotlight” special on Hanson attracted a record TV audience of 753,000 viewers.

Other right‑wing figures, including Senator Bridget McKenzie, used the CPAC event to frame immigration as a war against “left‑wing globalists”. The controversy has dominated Australian political headlines this week.