Pauline Hanson Unveils Sweeping First 100-Day Agenda, Promising to Scrap Welcome to Country and Net Zero if Elected Prime Minister

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has outlined an ambitious list of priorities she says would dominate the first 100 days of her government if she were elected Prime Minister, promising a dramatic shift away from many of the policies adopted by recent federal governments.

Pauline Hanson outlines One Nation's first 100-day agenda if elected Prime Minister

Among the headline proposals are abolishing Welcome to Country ceremonies across government institutions, ending Australia’s commitment to net zero emissions, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and introducing major changes to immigration, welfare and healthcare.

Speaking during a wide-ranging interview outlining One Nation’s agenda, Hanson argued Australia had become burdened by excessive government spending, ideological policies and bureaucratic programs that she believes have increased living costs without delivering better outcomes.

One of Hanson’s most controversial proposals is the removal of Welcome to Country ceremonies and Acknowledgement of Country practices from government departments, schools and many publicly funded events.

She argued that these ceremonies have evolved from occasional gestures of respect into routine obligations that, in her view, unnecessarily divide Australians rather than unite them.

According to Hanson, government institutions should emphasise a shared Australian identity rather than separate cultural recognition.

She has repeatedly argued that Australia belongs equally to every citizen regardless of ancestry and that no single group’s heritage should be given greater prominence in official settings.

Welcome to Country is a formal cultural protocol performed by Traditional Owners to welcome visitors onto Country, while an Acknowledgement of Country can be delivered by anyone to recognise the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the land.

Over recent decades both practices have become increasingly common at parliamentary sittings, schools, universities, sporting events and government ceremonies.

Supporters argue they promote respect, reconciliation and recognition of Australia’s First Peoples, while critics—including Hanson—say their growing frequency has reduced their original significance and created unnecessary division.

Climate policy forms another central pillar of One Nation’s proposed agenda.

Hanson says a One Nation government would immediately abandon Australia’s legislated net zero emissions target and withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

She argues current climate policies have contributed to higher electricity prices, increased business costs and reduced Australia’s international competitiveness.

Instead, One Nation proposes expanding domestic coal and gas production while supporting future nuclear energy development as part of a lower-cost energy strategy.

Those proposals would represent one of the most significant reversals of Australian climate policy in decades.

Successive Coalition and Labor governments have both committed Australia to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, although they have differed substantially over the pace and methods of achieving those targets.

Environmental organisations argue abandoning net zero commitments would damage Australia’s international reputation and undermine long-term investment in renewable energy, while supporters of One Nation contend current policies place an excessive financial burden on households and businesses.

Immigration also features prominently in Hanson’s proposed first 100 days.

She has pledged to reduce annual migration to around 130,000 people, arguing Australia’s housing shortage, infrastructure pressures and cost-of-living challenges have been worsened by population growth that exceeds the country’s capacity to build homes and provide essential services.

Hanson says future migration should focus on occupations facing genuine skills shortages, particularly in healthcare, trades and other critical industries.

Another major priority would involve reviewing large areas of federal spending.

One Nation has proposed significant reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), arguing stronger oversight is needed to reduce fraud, waste and administrative costs while ensuring support reaches those with genuine needs.

The party has also called for a review of childcare expenditure and other major government programs as part of a broader effort to reduce federal spending.

Among Hanson’s most expensive proposals is extending Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards to all self-funded retirees regardless of income testing.

She argues many retirees who receive little or no Age Pension have contributed taxes throughout their working lives and should receive greater assistance with healthcare costs.

Independent analysts, however, have suggested such a measure could require billions of dollars in additional government expenditure depending on its final design and eligibility rules.

Hanson has also reaffirmed her long-standing opposition to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

She says she intends to continue challenging recent Federal Court decisions concerning her dispute with Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, arguing the legislation unnecessarily restricts freedom of political communication.

The Federal Court recently dismissed Hanson’s appeal, finding earlier rulings on racial discrimination should stand. Hanson has indicated she intends to seek special leave to appeal to the High Court.

Political observers note that many of One Nation’s proposals would face significant parliamentary obstacles even if the party substantially increased its representation.

Major changes to climate legislation, immigration policy, government expenditure and Indigenous recognition would require support from both houses of Parliament, where One Nation has historically held only a limited number of seats.

Nevertheless, Hanson argues her platform reflects growing public frustration with the major parties and addresses issues she believes have been ignored by successive governments.

The Albanese Government and opposition parties have strongly disagreed with many of Hanson’s proposals.

Labor continues to support Australia’s net zero commitments, maintains that Welcome to Country ceremonies are voluntary expressions of respect and has defended ongoing investment in the NDIS and renewable energy transition.

The Coalition has also committed to retaining Australia’s emissions reduction framework, although it proposes a greater role for nuclear energy and different approaches to energy policy.

As a result, many of Hanson’s proposals remain well outside the policy positions of the two major parties.

Recent polling has nevertheless shown One Nation attracting increased support in several parts of Australia, particularly among voters concerned about the cost of living, immigration and energy prices.

Although Australia’s preferential voting system means primary vote support does not automatically translate into government, Hanson argues the growing popularity of One Nation demonstrates increasing public appetite for policies that differ sharply from those of Labor and the Coalition.

Whether any of these proposals are ultimately implemented will depend on future election outcomes and parliamentary support.

For now, Hanson’s announcement provides the clearest picture yet of the direction a One Nation government would seek to take Australia, placing national identity, reduced government spending, tighter immigration controls and the reversal of several major policy initiatives at the centre of its political agenda.

Related Posts

AI-generated illustration of Josh Willie and Jeremy Rockliff concerning Tasmanian ambulance services

Willie Warns Tasmania’s Ambulance System Is in Crisis as Rockliff Pledges Investigations

Tasmania’s Labor leader Josh Willie has warned that the state’s ambulance system is in crisis after two deaths involving delayed emergency responses. Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the…

AI-generated illustration: Jordon Steele-John and David Shoebridge in Greens leave dispute

Steele-John Challenges Shoebridge’s Leave Account Amid Independent Greens Inquiry

An internal dispute between Greens leader David Shoebridge and West Australian senator Jordon Steele-John has exposed disagreement over whether the senator initially agreed to take leave while…

AI-generated illustration: Katherine Hayes and Laura Gerber in Queensland youth bail funding dispute

Hayes Challenges Queensland Youth Funding Cut as Gerber Defends Performance Decision

Youth Advocacy Centre chief executive Katherine Hayes has challenged the Queensland government over the loss of a major bail-support contract, saying she fears the decision may be…

AI-generated illustration: Jacqui Lambie and Mark Nicholson over One Nation political cartoon

Lambie Demands Nicholson Withdraw from Election as Cartoonist Refuses Apology

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie has called for One Nation candidate Mark Nicholson to withdraw from Victoria’s election after he refused to apologise for an animated political cartoon…

AI-generated illustration: Lidia Thorpe and Pauline Hanson dispute satirical One Nation cartoon

Thorpe Rebukes Hanson Over One Nation Bus Cartoon as Senator Defends Satire

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has criticised One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over an older animated cartoon showing a caricature of Thorpe being run over by a bus….

AI-generated illustration: Cameron Dick and David Crisafulli in Queensland crime policy debate

Dick Attacks Crisafulli’s Crime Record as Premier Defends Early Results

Queensland Opposition Deputy Leader Cameron Dick has challenged Premier David Crisafulli over his government’s performance on crime, while Crisafulli says early figures show his policies are beginning…