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Hanson’s vaccination comments slammed as ‘rubbish’, ‘insulting’

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson insists her controversial comments about vaccinations are her "personal opinion" and said parents should seek medical advice.

Hanson had claimed vaccinations could cause autism, but those comments were quickly labelled as “rubbish” and “insulting” by medical experts.

Hanson admitted to protecting her own children with vaccinations, but stood by her earlier statement that the Government's ‘no jab, no pay’ rule is blackmail.

Pauline Hanson has also been under pressure to explain her comments praising Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photo: AAP
Pauline Hanson has also been under pressure to explain her comments praising Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photo: AAP

"I'm not saying to people ‘don't get your children vaccinated’,” Hanson said.

"Go and talk to your doctor.”

"We've gotta hear less of this rubbish,” Dr Michael Gannon from the Australian Medical Association told 7 News.

"She's not only wrong, she's insulting when she links autism spectrum disorder to MMR vaccination."


"I think Pauline Hanson should stop reading the nutters on the internet,” Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek added at a separate press conference.

Earlier on Monday a bereaved mother savaged Hanson, labelling her statement as “uneducated comments” against childhood vaccination.

Catherine Hughes, who started the Light for Riley foundation, has slammed Senator Hanson, calling her uneducated and her commentary disgraceful.

Catherine Hughes posted a photo of her son Riley along with her comment. Photo: Twitter/Light for Riley
Catherine Hughes posted a photo of her son Riley along with her comment. Photo: Twitter/Light for Riley

“My son died a horrible death from whooping cough,” Ms Hughes wrote on Twitter.

“Your uneducated comments about vaccination are a disgrace to children.”

Ms Hughes has been a prominent campaigner for vaccinations since her son Riley died of whooping cough in 2015 at just 32 days old.

Senator Hanson’s comments have been labelled “crazy” by health leaders, and have even attracted criticism from the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Stephen Duckett, a former head of the federal health department, said he was "disgusted" when the senator questioned their effectiveness and encouraged parents to do their own research.

Hanson's vaccination stance her 'opinion'. Source: AAP
Hanson's vaccination stance her 'opinion'. Source: AAP

"This is a situation where you've got a popular politician with a significant following who's actually giving crazy, crazy medical advice," he told ABC radio on Monday.

"She has to apologise and retract that statement.

"I cannot stress how angry it makes one feel that she is putting lives at risk... without any evidence whatsoever."