Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has delivered a forceful Senate speech condemning Pauline Hanson as both "dangerous" and "delusional," drawing parallels between the One Nation leader and populist figures including Donald Trump and Nigel Farage. The attack follows sustained tension over One Nation's cartoon series targeting Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, a decorated SAS veteran, with repeated accusations of betrayal.
Lambie's intervention reflects her escalating criticism of Hanson, whom she has previously described as an "angry little woman" and a "bloody coward." The senator revealed she had faced a torrent of abuse following her public defence of Hastie after the One Nation video campaign.
In her adjournment speech delivered the previous evening, Lambie articulated her concerns about populist political tactics and their consequences for ordinary Australians.
One Nation whips up the anger and they tell people who to blame. That's the populist trick ... It's a trick Australia, and we've got to wake up to it. Because every time a populist leader, like Trump or Farage, get any power, the lives of working people don't get better. They get worse.
She specifically criticised Hanson's apparent support for Trump's approach to Iran, warning that such positions could drag Australian military personnel into prolonged conflict.
You'd put [Australian soldiers] back in another American forever war? [Hanson] is not only dangerous, she's delusional!
How do populist leaders operate, according to Lambie?
Lambie characterised figures such as Trump and Farage as skilled at promising to champion ordinary citizens while ultimately serving their own interests.
Senator Hanson will be fine in her retirement, as will Nigel and Donald in theirs, because once again they are feathering their own nests ... Australia can choose not to follow the ugly politics of populism, we can do better because we bloody are better.
The senator framed her critique as transcending conventional left-right political divisions, instead emphasising the importance of respect, practical problem-solving, and decision-making grounded in evidence rather than fear.
And it's not about right or left, it's about respect and finding solutions, and not operating from a place of fear – whatever side you're on.
Lambie's criticism of Hanson extends to her handling of defence and veterans' affairs. According to Lambie's public statements, Hanson has delayed the royal commission into defence and veterans' suicides by nearly six months, a delay with significant implications for serving and former military personnel seeking accountability and support.
The broader dispute centres on a One Nation cartoon that repeatedly labelled Hastie a "traitor" after he gave evidence against Ben Roberts-Smith in the former SAS commander's failed defamation trial. The video remained pinned to Hanson's social media accounts as of 12 September, continuing to draw political backlash from veterans and across parliament.
What is happening with New South Wales abortion legislation?
The head of One Nation in New South Wales, Mike Newman, appeared at a rally outside state parliament on Tuesday evening opposing "abortion up to birth" ahead of an expected upper house vote on Libertarian member John Ruddick's bill to restrict abortion access during private member's business.
Newman, appearing alongside members of fringe parties, stated One Nation's position on the issue, though he stumbled over his words during the address.
We want to stop it. We want to make sure that same-sex-, sorry, abortion is stopped. We want to make sure that people have the right to life, and we will vote for you in favour of that.
Debate on Ruddick's bill was adjourned during the June sitting week and is expected to be decided through a conscience vote. Labor and opposition sources indicated the vote would likely be close, with support for the bill potentially falling short of the numbers required for passage.
The rally followed another event attended by One Nation's Barnaby Joyce, where he applied pressure on Nationals MPs to support the bill. Some members were expected to be absent from the vote, including Shooters, Farmers and Fishers MLC Robert Borsak, who had spoken in favour of the bill in June. A senior Liberal source indicated that without members such as Borsak, there appeared to be "no room or margin" to deliver the bill's passage.
What is the government's position on artificial intelligence development?
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has expressed comfort with calls from Dario Amodei, chief executive of artificial intelligence company Anthropic, urging governments to slow the pace of AI system development. Speaking on ABC's 7.30 program on Tuesday evening, Marles responded to Amodei's essay warning the industry must moderate its advancement speed.
I actually take comfort in Dario Amodei's essay and the call he's made … It's firstly not about … stopping this all together but rather making sure that the development of the safeguards that are in place in respect of this technology is in front of the technological capability itself …
Marles emphasised that the government's focus is ensuring Australia develops robust AI safeguards that protect citizens rather than exposing them to harm.
The technology is being developed very quickly, and … from an Australian point of view, our focus is making sure that in seeing this as a revolutionary technology which can be doing so much good in Australia that, we do have in place … AI safeguards in Australia which make sure that this is a technology which can benefit Australians and not the other way around.
This position aligns with Marles' earlier statement on 2 September that Australia needed to get AI standards and data-centre planning right to protect sovereignty and social licence. The government has signalled its intention to establish comprehensive regulatory frameworks before AI capabilities advance further.
What developments are occurring with the Aukus submarine program?
Marles addressed questions about the Aukus submarine partnership and reports from the United Kingdom indicating the Labour government was considering delaying the start of boat construction by two years to 2028. He stated there was "no change" on Australia's end regarding the UK's position and rejected characterisations of the delay as "red flags."
The ultimate number of submarines is not the key issue here, the key issue is the development of the design, the pace of that which is happening.
The deputy prime minister confirmed the UK remains on track to cut steel for its first SSN Aukus submarine next year, with that vessel expected to come off the production line in the UK during the late 2030s.
That's perfect timing in respect of what we're doing … We are really comfortable with what is happening there.
What happens next?
The Senate inquiry into the $6 million Marrickville Golf Club grants decision is due to report back by mid-October, with further scrutiny of government spending decisions expected to continue.
