Australian Senator Pauline Hanson has drawn criticism after suggesting domestic violence is a “two-way street” and asserting that “women can also lose their cool.” The leader of the right-wing One Nation party made the remarks during a recent podcast, where she also claimed that focus on domestic violence is diverting police resources from “real crime” and expressed concern about the influence of “too many woke people in parliament” pushing women’s rights.

Hanson, 72, denied that her comments were “vile” or “dangerous,” insisting they were taken out of context. Her remarks come amid sobering statistics highlighting the severity of domestic violence in Australia. According to Counting Dead Women Australia, a record-keeping organization tracking homicides of women, approximately 27 women have been killed by current or former partners so far in 2026. Nationally, one in four women has experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15, with an average of one woman killed each week under such circumstances.

Academics and political observers quickly responded to Hanson’s statements, framing them within the broader context of gender relations and political discourse in Australia. Blair Williams, a specialist in gender and Australian politics at the University of New South Wales, said Hanson’s comments align with a political strategy aimed at appealing to “angry white men.” Williams noted that Hanson frequently voices concerns about perceived anti-male bias and maintains an anti-feminist stance.

Marian Sawer of the Australian National University highlighted a longstanding issue of misogyny in Australian political culture. She pointed to several examples of public and parliamentary misogyny, including a “Ditch the Witch” billboard targeting Victoria’s state premier, Jacinta Allan. Sawer also referenced past parliamentary incidents such as the 2018 episode when Green Senator Sarah Hanson-Young was told to “stop shagging men” during a debate on violence against women, and former Western Australian Liberal Party deputy leader Troy Buswell’s 2005 inappropriate behavior toward a female staffer.

The treatment of Australia’s first female prime minister, Julia Gillard (2010–2013), remains a notable example of entrenched gender hostility within politics. Opposition members were criticized for making monkey-like noises during her speeches, with Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan accused of making sexist remarks about her fertility. Gillard famously addressed these issues in a 2012 speech condemning sexism and misogyny in Australian society and politics.

Williams acknowledged progress since Gillard’s era, observing that women politicians now feel more empowered to speak openly about gender issues. She described Gillard’s speech as a turning point that, while not immediately transformative, has contributed to a gradual shift toward greater awareness and advocacy on matters of gender equality in Australian political life.