Pauline Hanson defends plan to abolish SBS and cut ABC funding
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has reaffirmed her proposal to abolish SBS, telling a senior SBS journalist that she would be “without a job” if her party were to form government.
The exchange took place at the National Press Club after Hanson outlined her media policy, which includes shutting down SBS entirely and making significant cuts to the ABC, potentially moving much of the broadcaster to a subscription-based model.
Hanson argued that SBS is no longer necessary, claiming that the internet and a wide range of media outlets now provide sufficient access to news and information.
During the discussion, SBS chief political correspondent Anna Henderson questioned the proposal, pointing out that SBS delivers Australian news in 60 languages and plays an important role in serving multicultural communities.
Henderson noted that SBS provides local news content, not just international programming. However, Hanson responded that Australians already have access to news through commercial television networks, online platforms, and other media services.
When Henderson continued to raise concerns about SBS’s multilingual services, Hanson replied, “You’re going to be without a job.”
The remark quickly attracted attention and criticism, with opponents accusing Hanson of using public broadcasters as targets in a broader political campaign.
Hanson later defended her position by arguing that migrants should be encouraged to learn English and integrate into Australian society rather than rely on news services in other languages.
She stated that English should remain the primary language for citizenship and social participation, adding that Australia is “a monocultural nation” rather than a multicultural one.
While proposing the closure of SBS, Hanson said the ABC would continue to operate but on a much smaller scale. One Nation has previously suggested that many ABC services could be funded through subscriptions, while maintaining support for regional and rural broadcasting.
Asked how the government funding currently allocated to SBS and the ABC could be used, Hanson said the money should be redirected toward issues such as homelessness and poverty.
The proposal is expected to reignite debate over the role of publicly funded media in Australia, with supporters of SBS and the ABC arguing that they provide essential services to multicultural, regional, and remote communities that are not always served by commercial broadcasters.