The National Press Club of Australia has apologised to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson after her Canberra address was disrupted by a protest banner, confirming the incident had been referred to the Australian Federal Police for investigation.
In a club statement issued on 17 June 2026, National Press Club chief executive Maurice Reilly said third parties undertook the incident and that no club personnel or contractors were involved.
“The National Press Club can confirm that the incident to disrupt Senator Hanson’s address was undertaken by third parties,” the statement said.
“No club personnel or club contractors had any involvement in this matter.”
The statement said the club had referred relevant footage and other evidence to the AFP for further investigation.
The disruption occurred during Hanson’s first National Press Club address in three decades of politics, as she outlined One Nation’s agenda on immigration, multiculturalism, media funding, housing, energy and national identity.
About 20 minutes into her speech, a banner dropped behind Hanson accusing her of opposing pay rises for workers while accepting a parliamentary pay rise.
The banner was quickly removed by Press Club staff while Hanson continued her address.
The activist group GetUp claimed responsibility for the stunt.
In its statement, the National Press Club said a GetUp representative at the address was David Sharaz and that, at the time of writing, he was yet to be interviewed by the AFP.
“The organisation ‘GetUp!’ is claiming credit for the stunt. The ‘GetUp!’ representative at the address was David Sharaz,” the statement said.
“At time of writing, we understand he is yet to be interviewed by the AFP.”
The club said it appeared two people entered the club building the previous afternoon without permission and installed a separate drop-down screen in front of the media wall and light box.
“It is evident that a further person present during the address activated a remote device to trigger the unfurling of the coiled banner,” the statement said.
The statement also alleged Sharaz was seen filming the incident on his phone and left abruptly after the banner had lowered.
“David Sharaz was seen filming the incident on his phone and, after the banner had lowered, left abruptly,” the club said.
The National Press Club said the matter was likely to form part of the AFP investigation.
It said once the investigation had concluded, the club would consider legal options against the perpetrators, including seeking to recover costs for what it described as “significant damage” to the media wall and light box.
“When the investigation has concluded, the Club will consider its legal options against the perpetrators, including recovering costs for the significant damage to the media wall/light box,” the statement said.
“The Club sincerely apologises to Senator Hanson for the incident.”
The stunt has raised questions about security at one of Australia’s most prominent political media forums.
The National Press Club has hosted prime ministers, opposition leaders, ministers, diplomats, business figures and advocacy leaders for decades. The Hanson incident is now likely to prompt a review of how unauthorised equipment was allegedly installed inside the venue before a high-profile political address.
Hanson appeared unfazed when the banner appeared, asking whether it was “another first” for her National Press Club appearance.
The disruption came at a politically charged moment for One Nation, with the party gaining momentum in national polling and Hanson positioning herself as a direct challenger to the major parties.
During her address, Hanson argued that multiculturalism had failed and said Australia should be “multiracial” but “monocultural”. She also called for tighter immigration controls, criticised “radical Islam”, proposed abolishing SBS and said the ABC should become subscription-based in metropolitan areas.
Her remarks drew criticism from political opponents and advocacy groups, while supporters said the speech showed Hanson was willing to raise issues they believe the major parties avoid.
The banner stunt has shifted part of the focus from Hanson’s policy agenda to protesters’ conduct and the security of the Press Club event.
For Hanson and One Nation, the incident is likely to be framed as evidence that political opponents and activist groups are trying to disrupt rather than debate the party’s rise.
For GetUp, the protest was intended to challenge Hanson’s claim to represent working Australians.
For the National Press Club, the priority is now the AFP investigation and restoring confidence in its ability to host political addresses without unauthorised interference.
The investigation is continuing.
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