An editorial has urged all sides of Australian politics to abandon inflammatory attacks, warning that increasingly aggressive rhetoric risks encouraging or sparking political violence.
The intervention follows a sharp escalation in the federal Government’s criticism of One Nation after the party secured a surprise victory in the Western Australian seat of Secret Harbour at a by-election.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described right-wing populists as promoting politics that was “dangerous, divisive and downright dishonest”. Treasurer Jim Chalmers separately referred to a potential alliance between the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation as a “dangerous and divisive coalition of chaos” and a “three-ring circus”.
Assistant minister Patrick Gorman also attacked One Nation, describing its politics as dangerous, populist and dishonest, while arguing that the Government had long called on politicians to lower the temperature of public debate.
The dispute intensified when Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said One Nation leader Pauline Hanson should examine the effect of her party’s ideology and conduct before blaming the Prime Minister for threats made against her.
Ms Rowland pointed to the party’s alleged infiltration by extremists and neo-Nazis, as well as Ms Hanson’s association with people who had been convicted of crimes. The comments prompted an angry response from the senator, who demanded an immediate retraction and apology.
Ms Hanson accused the Attorney-General of “slandering One Nation and its supporters while appearing to excuse the violent threats directed against them”. She said millions of Australians supported the party and warned ministers against using language that could encourage people to treat those voters as extremists or dangerous.
“No minister, especially the Attorney-General and first law officer of the country, should suggest there is any justification for threats against Australians because of the political party they support,” Ms Hanson said.
It is understood that additional Australian Federal Police officers have been assigned to protect Ms Hanson, with security at her home also increased.
The editorial argued that the exchange had pushed Australian politics into a dangerous space, with responsibility resting on every party and politician to ensure public debate did not help create violent intentions.
It called for the inflammatory language heard in recent days to be put aside, warning that political leaders must recognise the possible consequences of rhetoric that deepens division and turns opponents into targets.
