Australia’s Attorney-General has accused Pauline Hanson of helping create the conditions for political violence against her, after the One Nation leader claimed Anthony Albanese had incited threats by condemning her party’s divisive rhetoric.
Michelle Rowland said it was dangerous to be a politician in Australia, particularly a high-profile woman, but urged Senator Hanson to consider whether her own conduct was contributing to the hostility directed at her.
“I would suggest that Senator Hanson should examine what her party and what her ideology and her behaviour is doing, and whether or not that is encouraging that,” Ms Rowland told ABC Radio National.
Her comments came after Mr Albanese criticised One Nation at the Queensland Labor conference, saying the party’s leader sought to divide Australians and talked down the country both at home and overseas.
Senator Hanson responded by accusing the Prime Minister of crossing a line and of encouraging violence against her. She said personal attacks by senior politicians could inflame threats against public figures.
Ms Rowland said online abuse and extremist content were being amplified by algorithms and described the situation as “completely unacceptable” and “out of control”. But she said Senator Hanson should also reflect on the people and causes she chose to promote.
“When you go on and you entertain some of the individuals whom she has been entertaining, who are not only convicted criminals, but when you admit that you have a party that has been infiltrated by extremists and neo-Nazis, this is exactly the kind of dangers to which politicians are being put in this country,” she said.
Senator Hanson has faced criticism for appearing with Tommy Robinson, the British far-right activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and who has served prison sentences for offences including assault, fraud and contempt of court.
“I don’t wish ill on Ms Hanson in a physical way, I don’t wish any politician any ill will, irrespective of their political persuasion,” Ms Rowland said. “I think sometimes when comments like this are made, one needs to look at oneself and one’s behaviour, and the kinds of standards that they accept into their own party and their own ideology.”
The dispute follows a series of threats against Senator Hanson. In August, a Perth man appeared in court accused of making three Facebook posts, including one in which he allegedly said he would “hunt her down and kill her”.
Anton Raymond Illich, 47, was charged with two counts of using a carriage service to make a threat. He is on bail and has been ordered not to contact Senator Hanson, while the case is expected to return to court in October.
