Pauline Hanson banned from Today show after ‘ill-informed and divisive’ rant

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been dropped as a regular contributor on the Today show. It comes after the politician made a number of eyebrow-raising comments regarding Melbourne’s public housing quarantine on the Channel Nine program on Monday morning.

While she’s no stranger to sparking debate with her views, Hanson’s comments triggered a backlash among viewers this morning with many people taking to social media to call on the television network to “stop giving airtime” to the Queensland senator. And on Monday afternoon Nine confirmed in a statement that the pollie will no longer appear on the popular morning show.

“The Today Show has advised Pauline Hanson that she will no longer be appearing on our programme as a regular contributor,” Darren Wick, Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, said.

“We don’t shy away from diverse opinions and robust debate on the Today Show. But this morning’s accusations from Pauline Hanson were ill-informed and divisive. At a time of uncertainty in this national and global health crisis, Australians have to be united and supportive of one another. We need to get through this together.”

The comments in question came after co-host Allison Langdon put it to the 66-year-old that some of the Melbourne tower residents hadn’t had a proper meal since Saturday. To which the One Nation leader replied: “Ah come on Ally, we’ve seen food being delivered there.

“The fact is a lot of them are drug addicts as well, they are getting their medication, they are alcoholics so they’re being looked after in that way. They are actually getting paid extra money. Why are they getting paid extra money? For what? They are not leaving the premises.”

Off the back of Hanson’s comments, Labor MP Andrew Giles called on the Morrison government to support a new anti-racism campaign. He said: “Pauline Hanson used an appearance on morning television to vilify people who have been subjected to lockdown restrictions because they live in one of the nine public housing towers in inner Melbourne.

“These are a group of people who deserve our support to get through an awful situation, not of their making. Senator Hanson’s comments do not bear repeating, but her conduct must be condemned by all sides of politics.”

Chip Le Grand, Chief Reporter for The Age newspaper was also among those who called on the Today show to stop giving the One Nation leader airtime. He wrote on Twitter: “Imagine waking up on your second morning of home detention inside a cramped, high rise housing commission apartment and seeing this on your TV. Pauline Hanson is a boil on the body politic. Please stop giving her airtime to disseminate her bigoted views.”

However, following the interview, Pauline also wrote on her Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain Facebook page: “It’s being reported I made ‘a number of controversial comments’ this morning. I’ve gone back over the interview and I’m struggling to see what I said that was so controversial.”

A number of Hanson’s followers also threw their support behind the senator, with one writing: “Thank you for always speaking your truth. It won’t always resonate with everyone, especially those who rely on Mainstream Media for their information. We appreciate you speaking out.” While others claimed that banning the politician from the show was an attack on free speech.