Calls for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to become Prime Minister have surged following her forceful criticism of Anthony Albanese in the wake of the deadly Bondi Beach shooting. Hanson squarely blamed the Labor leader for the tragedy, arguing his government's approach to antisemitism and immigration policy failed to protect Australians.
Hanson's Fiery Critique and Public Reaction
In the aftermath of the attack that killed 15 people and injured over 40 at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration, Hanson delivered a scathing assessment. She told 4BC radio she was "devastated" and claimed the Prime Minister had been "so weak" in dealing with street hatred and in managing who is allowed into the country. "It should never have happened," she stated, directly holding Anthony Albanese responsible.
Her comments, coupled with a reshared Instagram interview from September warning of the dangers of mass immigration, ignited a wave of support online. Many Australians took to social media to endorse her as a future leader. "Pauline For PM!!! C’mon Australia let’s go. After today at Bondi she is the only right choice," wrote one supporter. Others praised her perceived "care and love of Australia" as a quality lacking in other politicians.
Complex Details Challenge Narrative
However, the situation revealed complexities that countered a simple immigration-based argument. Authorities allege the primary gunman, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, is an Australian-born citizen. His father, Sajid, 50, is understood to have arrived from Pakistan on a student visa in 1998, later securing permanent residency.
This fact was highlighted by critics of Hanson's stance, who pointed out that a hero who intervened, Ahmed Al Ahmed, was an immigrant from Syria. "So we’re not going to mention that the gunman was born here and the person who stopped him was an immigrant? Because it doesn’t fit the narrative," one commenter noted.
It also emerged that Naveed Akram had been investigated by ASIO for six months in 2019 over links to an Islamic State cell. When questioned, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defended the security agencies, stating they "could not have done more" and that he had "absolute full confidence" in their work.
Ongoing Fallout and Political Division
The attack and Hanson's response have sharply refocused national debate on immigration, integration, and community safety. In her September interview, which she recirculated, Hanson argued that mass immigration under Labor was causing division, hatred, and escalating crime. "If you keep voting for these bastards... then be prepared to get what we're going to get," she warned.
The alleged gunman, Naveed Akram, remains in hospital under police guard, expected to survive and likely face criminal charges. The tragedy has left a nation grieving and a political landscape inflamed, with Hanson positioning herself as a tough alternative on security and social cohesion, a move that has resonated with a significant portion of the public.
