One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson has labelled the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum as a deeply divisive event that should never have taken place. Speaking in the Senate, she argued that while the proposal was defeated by a clear majority of Australians, it produced two significant outcomes: a firm rejection of racial division and the public exposure of what she described as a failing and unaccountable Aboriginal industry.
Hanson claimed that despite hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer funding spent over several decades, successive governments have failed to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in key areas such as health, education, housing and employment. She said many Australians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, are now demanding clear answers about where the money has gone and why outcomes remain poor.
The Senator highlighted what she sees as a glaring contradiction. While large sums of public money continue to flow into Indigenous programs and organisations, some Indigenous leaders and activists appear to enjoy comfortable lifestyles, living in mansions and driving luxury cars. At the same time, many Indigenous communities, particularly in remote areas, continue to face high levels of poverty, violence, and disadvantage.
Hanson described the current system as a “racket” and a “scam” that preys on both vulnerable Indigenous communities and Australian taxpayers. She argued that parts of the industry have a vested interest in maintaining poverty because it justifies their continued existence and secures ongoing government funding. According to her, the “gravy train” has been allowed to continue for too long without proper oversight.
The One Nation leader revealed that her office has been inundated with calls from concerned citizens demanding accountability. She said she has attempted to present evidence of alleged corruption in the Senate on multiple occasions but has been blocked by other politicians. Letters sent to responsible ministers have received little or no response, she claimed.
Hanson criticised the slow and ineffective handling of investigations. She said matters were passed between the Department of Social Services and the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC), with delays lasting years. Individuals under investigation, she added, continue to hold influential positions and receive public funding.
She renewed her long-standing call for a comprehensive, independent audit of all government spending on Indigenous programs. Hanson noted she has been demanding such an audit since entering parliament in 1996 and has recently been joined by other senators, including Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. She argued that only a full review can determine why decades of investment have failed to deliver meaningful results.
Hanson concluded by calling for a return to the principle of equality for all Australians. She said assistance should be based on individual need, not race, and rejected the idea of special rights or laws for any group. “Equal rights for all and special rights for none,” she declared, insisting this is the only fair and effective way to truly close the gap.
