Hanson’s anti-expert stance mirrors Brexit’s backlash, raising policy doubts
Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce are pushing policies that ignore economic advice, echoing Michael Gove’s anti-expert rhetoric from the Brexit era.
In a recent policy rollout, One Nation announced measures to let Australians access superannuation early and to reduce immigration by 750,000 over three years. Both Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce brushed off questions about the economic impact, with Hanson stating she does not trust economists and Joyce recalling his past decision to relocate a pesticides regulator to his New England electorate despite expert warnings.
The article compares their anti-expert rhetoric to Michael Gove’s famous Brexit comment that voters were tired of experts. Analysts warn that such “vibes-based” policies could trigger a short-term recession, worsen housing shortages, and strain aged-care provision. The piece also notes that similar voter anger fueled support for Donald Trump, suggesting a broader trend of distrust in expertise. If One Nation gains enough influence, the lack of expert input could undermine effective governance.
Why it matters
The stance challenges reliance on expertise, risking economic and social consequences if such policies are adopted.
How this story developed
- Sep 8 Liberal MP Andrew Hastie intensifies feud with One Nation's Pauline Hanson
- Sep 13 One Nation announced a strategy to reduce the country's temporary migration intake by more than 750,000 over the next three years, focusing on student and family visas.
- Sep 14 Hastie pledged to continue confronting One Nation over the cartoon.
- Sep 15 State premiers and business groups publicly warned that the proposed visa cuts could cripple the economy.
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