The chemtrail theory alleges that the white trails left by high-flying aircraft are actually chemicals deliberately sprayed by governments for secret purposes. The party stalwart has dismissed the criticism as “selective cherry-picking.”
Roberts has faced fresh questions over several incidents, including his 2024 description of U.S. podcaster Alex Jones as a “beacon of hope.” Jones has drawn widespread condemnation for claiming the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax, that 9/11 was an inside job, and for his theories on interdimensional beings.That same year, Roberts posted a photo on social media of the controversial mural Freedom for Humanity, which depicts wealthy bankers with exaggerated features playing Monopoly on the backs of oppressed people, with an Illuminati symbol in the background. He called it “the most powerful pic I’ve ever seen.”
The artwork has been widely interpreted as anti-Semitic for evoking tropes of Jewish financial domination.
However, the veteran senator claims he is simply the latest One Nation member to be targeted by political rivals.
“First they came for Pauline,” he wrote in a social media post. “Then they came for Barnaby. Now it’s my turn. Selective cherry-picking and dishonest distortions by mainstream media to mislead Australians on behalf of their uni-party mates.”
During a Sky News interview, Roberts stated: “Many people ridicule the notion of chemtrails in Australia—I have never denied it.”
He claims his answer was cut short before he could clarify that he had not seen evidence of chemtrails in Australia and therefore did not believe they existed there, but that he also could not fully refute the theory because he lacked definitive knowledge.
Labor MP Allegra Spender has called for Roberts’ resignation over the mural image he posted years earlier.
“It’s shameful that one of One Nation’s most senior MPs should endorse and share this notorious anti-Semitic slur. Will Pauline Hanson or Barnaby Joyce ever hold him to account?”
Roberts has defended his use of the image, saying his focus was on the concept of globalisation.
One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce said neither Sandy Hook nor 9/11 were “false flag” events.
“We make our opinions by what people put forward,” he told ABC Radio National.
“I’m not here to start carpeting Malcolm. I’m not going to do that. If you wish to have a discussion with him, I’m sure you can have him on your show. Any discussions I have will remain private.”
The Epoch Times contacted Sky News for comment.
