Pauline Hanson still doesn't like Mardi Gras, says sexuality should be 'behind closed doors'

Pauline Hanson, the leader of the One Nation party, has reasserted her opposition to Sydney's Mardi Gras, which she believes should be kept private. The One Nation leader previously criticized the LGBTQI+ festival in a 1996 interview, stating that she finds it "not natural." In 1998, her remarks were turned into a parody song by musician Simon Hunt, also known as drag queen Pauline Pantsdown.

Although Hanson acknowledged the economic benefits of the Mardi Gras, she maintains her stance that personal sexuality should remain private. She added that she has no intention of attending the event herself. Hanson's comments come in the wake of another One Nation candidate, Parminder Singh, making anti-gay remarks on social media, which led to Singh's removal from the party's website.

Hanson rejected Singh's comments, stating they were his personal thoughts and not hers. Additionally, Hanson struggled to name leaders of important regional powers, highlighting her lack of foreign policy expertise. She also reiterated her party's stance on Australia's net migration target, suggesting a reduction to 130,000 per year, which could negatively affect international students and farmers.