Jul 20, 2026 – 6.15pmPauline Hanson’s criticism of the consequences of abolishing the White Australia Policy did not mean she supported the measure, her colleague Barnaby Joyce said, but the government claimed the One Nation’s leader’s comments could only be read one way.After Hanson returned to Australia on Monday following a controversial two weeks abroad, Joyce was forced to defend Hanson’s comments to far-right British activist Tommy Robinson, in which she said Australia’s multicultural problems began with the abolition of the policy more than 50 years ago.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles