Pauline Hanson debate erupts as Barnaby Joyce claims Labor has ‘joined One Nation’ on deportations

Barnaby Joyce has declared “the Labor Party has joined One Nation” after Tanya Plibersek agreed people found living illegally in Australia should be deported immediately.

The fiery clash erupted as the two politicians debated Pauline Hanson’s comments linking Australia’s immigration problems to the dismantling of the White Australia policy and her support for the idea of “mass deportations”.

Ms Plibersek accused the One Nation leader of attempting to walk back controversial remarks made during an interview aired on 7NEWS Spotlight.

“She very clearly said that the problem started after we got rid of the White Australia policy,” Ms Plibersek said.

“And she also backed in mass deportation and said that all of her members of Parliament support her in that call for mass deportation.”

Ms Plibersek said Senator Hanson would “say anything” before denying her own remarks when challenged.

“It’s like watching a toddler do something wrong in front of you, and then turn around to you and say, no, no, never did it. It wasn’t me,” she said.

‘Labor has joined One Nation’

Mr Joyce stressed One Nation did not support the White Australia policy but argued Australia had experienced problems with some migrants failing to assimilate.

“We need people to come to our nation and work within the Australian guardrails,” he said.

Pressed on Senator Hanson’s support for mass deportations, Mr Joyce said people living in Australia illegally should be removed.

“As it becomes apparent that they’re not supposed to be here, they’ll be put on a plane and sent back to where they’re supposed to be,” he said.

“What’s the point of calling them illegal immigrants if you believe they’re legal?”

Ms Plibersek agreed that those found to be in Australia illegally should be deported, while accusing Mr Joyce and One Nation of attempting to manufacture a political divide where none existed.

“Literally everybody agrees with that. If you’re here illegally, you should be deported, no questions asked,” she said.

“As soon as we find them and when we find them, we should deport them straight away. And that’s what we’re doing.”

Mr Joyce seized on the admission, declaring, “The Labor Party has joined One Nation. It used to be just Liberal Party but now it’s Labor Party as well. Great.”

Ms Plibersek immediately rejected the broader characterisation, insisting Labor did not agree with Senator Hanson’s comments about the White Australia policy or mass deportation.

“I certainly don’t agree with Barnaby because Pauline Hanson says that One Nation supports the White Australia policy and mass deportation,” she said.

The exchange came after Senator Hanson denied she wanted to reinstate the White Australia policy, despite saying Australia’s migration problems began when it was dismantled.