CANBERRA – The Senate chamber became a flashpoint of political vitriol on Monday morning as Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young launched a blistering attack on the Labor Government, the Coalition, and One Nation, accusing them of “blindly” following Donald Trump into a global conflict that is now devastating the Australian economy.
In a fiery address, the Manager of Australian Greens Business in the Senate did not mince words, labelling the current international involvement an “illegal war” and claiming that everyday Australians are now “paying the price” for a “major-party cartel” that refused to stand up to the U.S. President.
‘The Hypocrisy is Rank’
Senator Hanson-Young’s remarks come at a time of mounting domestic pressure as the economic fallout from the conflict continues to drive up living costs. She accused both sides of the aisle of acting as a “cheer squad” for the Trump administration, only to now complain about the inevitable consequences.
“The hypocrisy in this place reeks,” Senator Hanson-Young told the chamber. “The hypocrisy from that side of politics… which has backed this bloody war, this illegal war of Donald Trump’s, since day one and is now saying it’s actually causing pain to Australians. Well, of course it is!”
She further alleged that the Government and Opposition had entered the fray without a strategy, stating they “went in blindly” to back “your mate Trump.”
Target: One Nation
While the major parties took the brunt of the systemic critique, Hanson-Young reserved a specific level of scorn for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. Anticipating a response from the Queensland Senator, Hanson-Young dismissed any potential concerns for struggling families as “crocodile tears.”
“There’s no bigger cheerleader for Donald Trump in this country than Pauline Hanson and One Nation,” she said. “I assume we’re about to hear the Leader of One Nation stand up and wring her hands… meanwhile backing the major supporter of this rubbish, of this pain, of this suffering.”
EVs and the Culture War
The Senator tied the geopolitical crisis back to domestic policy, specifically the stalled transition to electric vehicles (EVs). She argued that while the “Trump war” shows no signs of ending, the Australian Opposition is actively hindering affordable alternatives for citizens.
- The Charge: The Coalition is accused of fueling a “culture war” against EVs.
- The Impact: Hanson-Young argues this makes it harder for Australians to access cheaper transport options during an economic crunch.
- The Result: A government and opposition that she claims have “no plan” beyond complaining.
A Growing Divide
The speech highlights the deepening rift in the Senate as the 2026 economic landscape remains dominated by international instability. With the Greens positioning themselves as the sole voice of dissent against the “cartel” of Labor and the Coalition, the political temperature in Canberra appears set to rise alongside the cost of living.
As of Monday afternoon, neither Senator Hanson nor the Government benches had issued a formal rebuttal to the “cartel” allegations, though the chamber remains on high alert for a standard “One Nation” counter-offensive.