Barnaby Joyce Says One Nation Rejects White Australia Policy and Calls Its End a Good Thing

Barnaby Joyce stated on 20 July 2026 that One Nation does not support the White Australia policy. He said the wind-down of the policy began under former Prime Minister Harold Holt and described its end as a very good thing. Joyce added that after the policy ended some people arrived in Australia who did not want to assimilate and did not work within the guardrails of the country.

He backed enforcement of deportations for those overstaying visas, saying people would be put on a plane and sent back when they present for medical issues or other things. Pauline Hanson appeared on a podcast with Tommy Robinson released the week before 20 July 2026. In the interview she said the end of the White Australia policy led to migration issues in Australia.

On 19 July 2026 she told Channel Seven's Spotlight program that she does not regret the interview and loves the idea of mass deportation, later clarifying that her comments referred to illegal immigrants. One Nation's website states the party wants to deport 75,000 illegal migrants.

Hanson met Rupert Lowe on the Spotlight program aired 19 July 2026 and received a pamphlet titled 'mass deportations'.

Tanya Plibersek said on 20 July 2026 that Hanson will say anything and then deny it when challenged. She noted that Hanson has criticised paid parental leave and accused workers of being lazy. One Nation sits equal with Labor on primary vote in the latest Newspoll as of 20 July 2026.