Canberra Chinese Australian Association issues statement on Senator Hansen’s speech; community rejects Hansen’s divisive remarks at the National Press Club

By Sam Wong AM

Jun 18 2026

Responds to Senator Hanson’s National Press Club SpeechCommunity Rejects Pauline Hanson Divisive SpeechThe ACT Chinese Australian Association (ACTCAA) expresses deep concern overSenator Pauline Hanson’s remarks at the National Press Club on 17 June 2026,where she singled out communities who speak Mandarin, Arabic and otherlanguages, and called for Australia to become a “monocultural society.”Such statements are divisive, harmful, and fundamentally incompatible withAustralia’s multicultural reality.
For decades, Australians of Chinese heritage-alongside communities fromevery cultural, linguistic and faith background-have strengthened this nation’ssocial fabric, economy and international standing. Speaking multiple languages
is not a threat to Australia; it is a contribution to it.Senator Hanson’s rhetoric echoes the same divisive themes from her maidenspeech in the 1990s-messages that Australians rejected then and continue toreject today.
ACTCAA Patron, Mr Sam Wong AM, said:
“Multiculturalism is here to stay. Australia is a nation built by migrants,enriched by our First Nations peoples, and strengthened by everycommunity that calls this country home. There is no place in Australia for
rhetoric that divides us or denies who we are.”
The ACT Chinese Australian Association firmly states:
· We reject any call for a monocultural Australia.
· We reject rhetoric that targets people because of their language, culture, or
faith
· We reject fear-based politics that undermines social harmony.
· We reaffirm our commitment to a multicultural Australia where everyonebelongs
As Our Prime Minister has said:
“Diversity is a strength of modern Australia. No matter what language youspeak, or faith you practice – every Australian deserves to feel saferespected and valued.”
The ACT Chinese Australian Association stands with all communities-regardless of race, language or religion-in affirming that diversity is one of thisnation’s greatest strengths.
We urge the public to reject divisive agendas and continue building an Australiathat is united, respectful and proudly multicultural.