Thousands of Students Walk Out of Classrooms to Protest Pauline Hanson’s One Nation as Senator Fires Back with Scathing Critique of Labor Greens
- Students across Australia stage national day of action against One Nation, with thousands walking out of classrooms in major cities and towns
- Senator Pauline Hanson hits back, telling students to protest the cost-of-living crisis instead and claiming One Nation is fighting for their future
- Protests come as One Nation’s support surges to 26 per cent in latest Roy Morgan poll, sparking concerns about the party’s impact on Australian politics and society
- Organisers call for young Australians to “fight against racism” and “stand up against the far right” as Senator Hanson’s record on education and multiculturalism is scrutinised
Thousands of high school and university students across Australia walked out of their classrooms on Thursday to protest against Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party, sparking a scathing response from the Senator herself.
The national day of action, organised by the National Union of Students, saw demonstrations planned in eight major cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.
Senator Hanson took to Facebook to respond to the protests, telling students that they should be protesting the cost-of-living crisis instead. “If you want to protest something, protest why your parents’ wages are going backwards and the cost of everything is going up,” she wrote.
“The Labor Greens government is selling out your future, and you’ll inherit a weaker, poorer and less safe country. Whether you know it or not, One Nation and I are fighting for you.”
The protests come as One Nation’s support has surged to 26 per cent in the latest Roy Morgan poll, a significant increase from the four per cent recorded in June 2020.
The party’s rising popularity has sparked concerns among students and activists, who point to Senator Hanson’s record on education and multiculturalism.
The National Union of Students has highlighted Senator Hanson’s voting record, including her opposition to policies such as free TAFE and increased funding for public schools.
One of the organisers of the Canberra protest, 23-year-old Australian National University student Yerin Park, expressed concerns about the impact of Senator Hanson’s rise on Australian politics and society.
“I’m hoping this will be the start of a real kind of movement,” she said. “We want to make sure we lay the best basis for …
an anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-bigot response in Australia.”
Senator Hanson has been at the centre of controversy in recent weeks, including a National Press Club address in June where she called for a monocultural Australia.
She also appeared on a podcast hosted by British far-right activist and convicted criminal Tommy Robinson during a work trip to the UK last month.
Monash University senior politics lecturer Benjamin Moffitt said that walking out was one of the most effective ways for students, including those too young to vote, to express their dissent.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The surge in support for One Nation has significant implications for Australian politics and society. As the party’s popularity grows, so too does the potential for its policies to shape the national agenda.
The protests against Senator Hanson’s party highlight the deep divisions within Australian society, with many young people expressing concerns about the party’s stance on issues such as multiculturalism and education.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the rise of One Nation could also have implications for national security, with the potential for increased tensions between different community groups.
“The growth of extremist ideologies is a concern for all Australians,” said one security analyst. “We need to be vigilant in monitoring the activities of groups that promote hatred and intolerance.”
Industry observers believe that the protests against One Nation could also have economic consequences, with the potential for increased activism and protests to disrupt business and industry.
“The rise of One Nation is a wake-up call for Australian business,” said one economist. “We need to be prepared for the potential consequences of increased activism and protests.”
As the debate around One Nation’s policies continues to heat up, one thing is clear: the party’s rise has significant implications for Australian politics, society, and the economy.
As Senator Hanson herself said, “Whether you know it or not, One Nation and I are fighting for you.” But for many Australians, the question remains: what exactly is One Nation fighting for?
