One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has reignited debate over race, immigration and national identity after telling a conservative audience in London that people should “not apologise for being White” while claiming Australia has “gone completely woke”.

The Queensland senator delivered the remarks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in London, where she addressed supporters on issues including immigration, multiculturalism, gender identity and climate policy. Her speech forms part of a 10-day European visit that has attracted significant political attention in both Australia and the United Kingdom.

Speaking to the conference audience, Hanson argued that Australians should reject what she described as identity politics and criticised the concept of “White privilege”, telling attendees that individuals should be judged as equals regardless of race.

“Do not apologise for being White,” Hanson told the audience, receiving sustained applause. She said society should learn from historical injustices without creating what she described as new forms of discrimination in the present.

The speech continued One Nation’s long-running campaign against what the party characterises as “woke” political culture.

Hanson claimed Australia had embraced progressive social policies that, in her view, undermine traditional values and create unnecessary divisions within society. She argued debates over race, gender and identity had become increasingly prominent in Australian public life and accused political leaders of failing to address broader economic and social concerns.

A major focus of the speech was immigration.

Hanson argued Australia was following a path similar to Britain and warned that high levels of migration were placing pressure on housing, infrastructure, public services and social cohesion. She claimed Australia was only a few years behind the United Kingdom in experiencing the challenges she associates with large-scale migration.

The One Nation leader has consistently advocated for substantially lower migration levels throughout her political career. Her party argues that reducing permanent and temporary migration would help ease pressure on housing affordability, transport networks and the cost of living while strengthening border security and national identity.

The Albanese government has defended Australia’s migration program, maintaining that skilled migration remains essential for addressing workforce shortages across sectors including healthcare, aged care, construction and technology. Ministers have also argued that migration supports long-term economic growth while helping businesses fill positions that cannot easily be met through the domestic labour market.

Immigration has become one of Australia’s most contested political issues as population growth continues to intersect with housing affordability, rental shortages and rising living costs.

While migration is widely recognised as one contributor to housing demand, economists generally identify multiple factors—including limited housing supply, planning constraints, construction costs, labour shortages and interest rates—as influencing housing affordability across the country.

Hanson also criticised the Albanese government’s climate policies during her London address.

She argued that net zero emissions targets were contributing to higher energy prices and weakening Australia’s economy. One Nation has repeatedly opposed Australia’s legislated emissions reduction targets and has called for greater reliance on traditional energy sources, including coal, gas and nuclear power.

The federal government maintains that its energy transition strategy is designed to reduce emissions while supporting investment in renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and emerging industries. Labor argues that delaying the transition would expose Australia to greater economic risks as global markets increasingly move towards lower-emission technologies.

Another prominent theme of Hanson’s speech concerned gender identity.

She criticised policies allowing transgender participation in certain areas of public life, including sport, and argued that biological sex should remain the determining factor in sporting competitions. Hanson told the audience there were “only two sexes” and said the issue had become a significant political concern in Australia.

Questions surrounding transgender participation in elite and community sport have been debated internationally in recent years. Sporting organisations have adopted differing eligibility rules based on their individual competitions, medical evidence and legal obligations, while governments have also introduced varying legislative approaches across different jurisdictions.

Supporters of greater inclusion argue that policies should balance fairness with the rights of transgender participants, while critics contend that biological differences can create competitive advantages in some sports. The issue remains politically and socially contentious both in Australia and overseas.

Beyond her CPAC appearance, Hanson’s European itinerary has drawn widespread attention.

During the trip she visited Tower Hamlets in east London alongside British political activist Tommy Robinson, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. She also travelled to Luton, another English city that has experienced significant demographic change over recent decades.

Following those visits, Hanson said she was surprised by what she observed and argued that Britain illustrated the long-term consequences of immigration policies she believes Australia should avoid.

Her comments have attracted criticism from political opponents, multicultural organisations and some community leaders, who argue that they risk stereotyping communities and inflaming racial tensions.

Supporters of Hanson, however, contend that she is expressing concerns shared by many voters who believe Australia’s migration program has expanded too rapidly and that political leaders have been reluctant to discuss its consequences openly.

One Nation has historically positioned itself as an outspoken critic of multiculturalism and high immigration.

Since entering federal politics in the 1990s, Hanson has repeatedly argued for tighter border controls, reduced migration, stronger integration policies and greater emphasis on Australian national identity. Those themes continue to form the foundation of the party’s political platform.

Her latest overseas appearances also reflect increasingly close relationships between conservative political movements in Australia, Britain, Europe and North America. Events such as CPAC have become international forums where politicians and commentators exchange views on immigration, cultural identity, freedom of speech and national sovereignty.

The Albanese government has consistently defended Australia’s multicultural model, describing cultural diversity as one of the country’s defining strengths. Ministers argue that migrants have made significant contributions to Australia’s economy, workforce, education system and broader society while maintaining that social cohesion depends on respect for democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Political analysts note that immigration and identity remain among the most emotionally charged issues in Australian politics.

While the major parties broadly support continued migration, they differ over its scale, composition and management. Minor parties, including One Nation, have sought to distinguish themselves by advocating substantially lower migration levels and framing the issue as central to housing affordability, infrastructure capacity and cultural cohesion.

Hanson’s speech in London is therefore likely to resonate well beyond the conference itself.

Supporters view it as a defence of free expression and traditional values, while critics argue its rhetoric risks deepening social divisions and oversimplifying complex policy challenges. As debates over immigration, national identity and social change continue to shape Australian politics, the issues raised during Hanson’s address are likely to remain at the centre of public discussion in the months ahead.