Australian Senator Defends One Nation Leader's Meeting with British Activist

Barnaby Joyce defended Pauline Hanson's meeting with Tommy Robinson during an appearance on ABC's 7.30 program on Monday. Joyce rejected suggestions the One Nation leader had crossed a red line by meeting the British activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

He stated that appearing alongside Robinson did not amount to endorsing his actions. Joyce said Robinson's prominence reflected broader social divisions in the UK and disputed that One Nation had actively sought the meeting.

Ferguson challenged that account, saying Channel Seven had told the ABC the meeting had been arranged before the broadcaster became involved. Hanson attended a right-wing conference in Europe before recording a podcast and filming with Robinson.

ABC reported that Robinson has been convicted of contempt of court, using a false passport, fraud and assault, and has been jailed. He was a member of the British National Party and founded the English Defence League. Joyce said Hanson had not travelled to Britain with a bio of everything Robinson had done.

He argued that problems arise when communities fail to assimilate and that Balkanisation creates divisions at odds with Australia's egalitarian ethos. The interview was twice interrupted by Joyce's dog, prompting him to yell at it to sit down. Joyce denied One Nation would require doctors or hospitals to report visa overstayers.

He said people in Australia unlawfully should be removed from the country. Joyce added that he did not know who paid for Hanson's European travel and that any support would be disclosed through parliamentary transparency requirements.