Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, has described Pauline Hanson's advocacy for a monocultural society as a “melancholic fantasy” that could harm national security. Wong, the first Asian-Australian to serve in federal cabinet, is scheduled to deliver a significant address at The Lowy Institute on Friday.
According to a preview of her speech, Wong will state that “The call for a monoculture is a call for Australia to curtail our choices and cut off our connections.” She will add that it would lead to Australia being “lonely in a dangerous world.”
Pauline Hanson stated in June that Australia should be a “monocultural society,” attributing a loss of national identity to high levels of overseas migration. Wong's intervention comes as One Nation has seen increased political support, attracting 25% of the primary vote in a recent Guardian Essential poll.
Wong will also discuss Australia's foreign policy priorities, placing the Indo-Pacific region first, and highlight the Albanese government's focus on resilience in the face of challenges such as weaponised supply chains, disinformation, foreign interference, and artificial intelligence.