'Don't go there': Pauline Hanson fires up in Q&A over White Australia policy

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson denies advocacy for 'version' of White Australia policy Tue 21 Jul 2026 at 11:47am , updatedTue 21 Jul 2026 at 11:50am In short: One Nation leader Pauline Hanson told a business breakfast in Perth she believes migration from radical Islamic countries should be banned. She angrily denied suggestions from the event's host this amounted to a "version" of the White Australia policy. About 80 protesters gathered outside the event, chanting phrases such as "migrants are welcome, racists are not". One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has angrily denied suggestions her strident opposition to migration by anyone from "radical Islamic countries" amounts to a version of the White Australia policy. Ms Hanson was speaking at a Perth leadership breakfast hosted by The West Australian newspaper, after returning from the UK where she had blamed the end of the White Australia policy for migration issues in Australia during an interview with far-right activist and convicted criminal Tommy Robinson. During a question-and-answer session at this morning's event, Senator Hanson spoke about radicalisation and terrorism carried out by Muslims, namely last year's Bondi terror attack. "You've got to call out the elephant in the room," she said. "And I'm sorry to say this but I don't want people coming to this country from radical Islamic countries. "I don't want that here. I want to protect the Australian people, I want them to feel safe in the streets. I don't want to see this anti-Semitism that's going on. I don't want to see the hatred that's happening. "That's why I'm very strong on certain countries. You've got to say no." 'Nothing to do' with White Australia policy Challenged by the event's host on whether this was a version of the White Australia policy, Senator Hanson strongly rejected the suggestion. "No, it's not,' she said. "It's got nothing to do with that. It's got nothing to do with the White Australia policy at all. So don't go there with me, I tell you what, because I won't stand for it." She said she had never supported the White Australia policy. In a wide-ranging address to the event, Senator Hanson lauded Western Australia's small business community and said the state helped "pay this nation's bills", while generating a huge portion of business investment. But she noted it also had an extremely low rental vacancy rate and again sought to blame migration. Senator Hanson said the country's population grew by more than 400,000 last year while only 173,000 homes were added. "Families with nowhere to live in the richest state in the nation," she said. Protesters rally outside Around 80 protesters gathered outside Crown Perth ahead of the event. The protest, organised by the WA Socialists and the WA Greens, was positioned at the entrance to the venue with protesters chanting at cars as they entered. Protesters held signs with Ms Hanson's face on it and chanted phrases such as "migrants are welcome, racists are not" and "Seven West you can't hide", referring to the The West Australian's parent company. There was a heavy police presence at the protest with around 17 officers positioned around the group, as well as police horses. Senator Hanson yesterday visited the electorate of Secret Harbour, south of Perth, where a state by-election will be held on August 29. She was seen speaking to people in Secret Harbour alongside One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen, a gym owner and former champion weightlifter. It is the second time Senator Hanson has travelled to Western Australia in as many months.