Australian Senators Defy Party Line to Back One Nation’s Immigration Inquiry

Opposition senators crossed the floor to back Pauline Hanson’s push for an inquiry into Australia’s immigration levels.

The senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 6, 2023. Martin Ollman/Getty Images

The federal opposition suffered a rare split in the Senate last night after three Coalition members broke ranks to support a One Nation push for a parliamentary inquiry into immigration.

Nationals frontbenchers Bridget McKenzie and Ross Cadell, along with Liberal backbencher Sarah Henderson, crossed the floor to back the motion alongside conservatives Alex Antic and Matt Canavan.