One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson speaks during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on May 13, 2026. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images
One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson has demanded Attorney-General Michelle Rowland retract claims that her party contained “extremist” elements and posed a danger to Australia following the Secret Harbour by-election.
Herdegen defeated Labor’s Georgia Tree 57 percent to 43 percent on a two-candidate-preferred basis, ending decades of Labor control of the southern Perth electorate.
However, following the result, Rowland said One Nation had been “infiltrated by extremists” after Hanson raised concerns about threats against her.
“When you go on and you entertain some of the individuals whom she has been entertaining, who are not only convicted criminals, when you admit that you have a party that has been infiltrated by extremists and neo-Nazis, this is exactly the kind of danger to which politicians are being put in this country.”
Related Stories
However, Rowland sought to distance her remarks from any personal animosity toward Hanson.
“But 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.”
Hanson Demands Retraction of Comments
Hanson called on Rowland to retract the comments and apologise in a post to X on Sept. 1.
“Millions of Australians support One Nation. They are not extremists. They are not dangerous. And ministers should not use language that encourages others to treat them as if they are,” she said.
“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,” she said.
Hanson said Labor should ask why voters are abandoning it rather than demonising them for their choices.
Foreign Minister Says Labor Accepts Result
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Labor accepted the message from its loss to One Nation in the Secret Harbour by-election, but described the result as “very disappointing.”
“We know that many Australians believe the status quo is not delivering sufficiently for them.
“I accept that there is a message sent in this by-election for us. I think we understand … the importance of delivering real change.”
