Community safety has emerged as one of Australia’s defining political issues ahead of upcoming elections, with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation arguing that governments should adopt tougher sentencing, stronger policing and tighter border controls in response to growing public concern about violent crime.

In a statement outlining the party’s law-and-order priorities, One Nation said Australians were increasingly worried about violent offending, gang activity, home invasions and vehicle thefts, arguing that governments needed to place community safety ahead of what it described as lenient criminal justice policies.

The party called for longer prison sentences for violent offenders, stronger action against organised criminal gangs and an end to what it described as a “revolving door” justice system in which repeat offenders are released only to commit further crimes.

One Nation also linked public safety with immigration policy, arguing that stronger border controls and lower migration would make it easier for authorities to maintain community security.

The party has long advocated reducing Australia’s permanent migration intake, increasing security screening and expanding powers to prevent individuals considered national security risks from entering the country.

Crime has become an increasingly prominent issue across several Australian states, particularly following public debate over youth offending, organised crime and repeat violent offenders.

Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory have all introduced or proposed tougher criminal justice measures in recent years, while opposition parties have continued calling for stronger sentencing laws and expanded police powers.

One Nation argues that existing laws have failed to deter repeat violent offending.

The party says courts should place greater emphasis on protecting victims and the wider community, with imprisonment becoming the default outcome for serious violent offences rather than repeated opportunities for offenders to avoid custodial sentences.

Although One Nation has not released a comprehensive new national crime platform covering every offence, its long-standing policies support tougher sentencing for serious crime, stronger action against organised criminal networks and expanded law enforcement powers.

The party has also placed considerable emphasis on terrorism and border security.

Most recently, Senator Pauline Hanson introduced legislation proposing Federal Court exclusion orders to permanently prevent foreign Islamic State fighters considered an unacceptable security risk from returning to Australia.

The proposal followed comments by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke that existing legislation may require the government to allow some Australians linked to Islamic State to return under current law.

Supporters of tougher sentencing argue that stronger penalties improve community confidence, deter repeat offenders and better recognise the impact of violent crime on victims and their families.

They contend that persistent offenders should face increasingly severe consequences when earlier interventions fail to prevent further criminal behaviour.

Opponents, however, argue that criminal justice policy should remain evidence-based rather than driven primarily by political messaging.

Many criminologists caution that mandatory sentencing and longer prison terms do not automatically reduce crime rates unless accompanied by effective policing, rehabilitation, prevention programs and support for victims.

They also note that different categories of crime often require different policy responses.

The relationship between immigration and crime likewise remains contested.

While One Nation argues that lower migration and stricter border controls contribute to public safety, several Australian and international studies have found no consistent evidence that immigration itself increases overall crime rates.

Research examining Australia’s experience has generally concluded that migrant communities are not disproportionately represented in crime statistics after broader demographic factors are considered, although debate over border security and national security continues to feature prominently in Australian politics.

The Albanese Government has maintained that community safety requires a combination of policing, intelligence cooperation, judicial reform and targeted counter-terrorism measures.

Federal ministers have pointed to recent legislation strengthening penalties for terrorism offences, hate crimes and violent extremism while also increasing cooperation between police and national security agencies.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have also placed greater emphasis on crime during recent campaigns.

In Victoria, the Coalition has announced a series of proposals targeting repeat youth offenders, including expanding circumstances in which serious juvenile offenders could face adult prison sentences for offences such as vehicle theft and violent disorder.

These developments illustrate how crime has become a central political issue extending well beyond One Nation.

Both major parties, as well as several minor parties, have proposed different approaches to policing, sentencing and community safety in response to public concern about violent offending.

For One Nation, however, the message remains clear.

The party argues Australia should adopt significantly tougher criminal justice policies, strengthen border controls and prioritise the protection of law-abiding Australians above all other considerations.

Whether those proposals gain broader electoral support will become clearer as the country moves closer to upcoming federal and state elections.

With crime, national security and cost-of-living pressures continuing to dominate political debate, law-and-order policies are expected to remain among the most closely scrutinised issues facing Australian voters throughout the campaign period.