Is One Nation the site of Australia's Alt-Right?

In many ways, such a tactic is a form of cultural schizophrenia. A false claim made in serious terms on behalf of a so-called "forgotten people" who claim to feel marginalised and victimised while also serving as a parody of the genuine claims of marginalised, excluded groups and through cynical utilisation of affirmative action statements, minority political articulations, and the workplace language of equity and diversity.

This schizophrenia is why such performances have been so disruptive to the workings of policy debate, governance and reasoned discussion.

What this does is leaves a public unclear and il-at-ease on what is actually being communicated: a claim to a right to a seat at the table for a supposedly excluded white majority? Or a way of arguing that such claims to appropriate representation and protection by marginalised groups ought not to be taken seriously or are unnecessary? Is it an attempt to enter a policy debate? Or is it mocking others?

The fact that Hanson's political strategy has shifted from the making of outdated claims that wooed an older, conservative base to one which appeals to a potentially younger, transnational alt-right base is deeply troubling. Whether she can position herself as a hero of an Australian alt-right in the frame of Trump and others in the United States is, of course, doubtful, but the trouble and the pain that is caused by her attempt cannot go without response.

Part of that response, then, is for our genuine political leaders to point out that these kinds of insulting articulations are not what can be covered by claims to free speech.