Thousands of school kids walk out of class to protest Pauline Hanson: 'She's a disgusting nationalist'

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 06:39, 13 August 2026 | Updated: 06:40, 13 August 2026 Thousands of students have walked out of classrooms and lecture theatres across Australia to protest Pauline Hanson, with demonstrations targeting the One Nation leader taking place in major cities and regional centres. The nationwide 'Say No to Pauline Hanson' rallies took place in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Wollongong and Newcastle, drawing crowds of high school and university students. In a video shared on social media, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi signed a 'permission slip' for students to leave school and attend the rally.  'You're telling me that the far right is on the rise, that parties like Pauline Hanson's One Nation want to roll back women's rights, workers' rights and environmental protections, that you're sick of One Nation's racist, sexist, anti-worker and divisive politics, and want to join thousands of students on Thursday, 13 August, in a protest around the country, and you want my permission?' she said in the video. 'Of course. I hope you've made a big sign. Have fun.' In Sydney, around 300 people were seen carrying anti-Hanson signs, chanting slogans against her and One Nation. The event was organised by the National Union of Students, as well as the Socialist Alternative-linked 'High School Anti Capitalists' group. One student at the Sydney protest told Daily Mail that demonstrators had gathered because Pauline Hanson 'does not represent Australia' or 'the beautiful multicultural society which we've developed here'. High school and university students across Australia marched to protest Pauline Hanson  A student at the Sydney protest said they were protesting because Hanson 'f***ing sucks' Rallies took place in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth (pictured) The protest was organised by the National Union of Students and 'High School Anti Capitalists' Protest organisers urged high school students to leave class in the middle of the day to attend Students carried signs in favour of transgender rights, also accused Hanson of being racist 'She's a disgusting nationalist. She serves only capitalist interests. It's disgusting, absolutely revolting,' the student said. 'Because we love our transgender queer migrant brothers and sisters, and we're here to come and protect them.' Another student at the Sydney rally told Daily Mail they attended the protest because Hanson 'f***ing sucks'. The student claimed large numbers of their classmates had skipped school to attend the demonstration.  'Yeah, I think, my mate sent me a video of class and there was only like 3 people in class, so everyone left school, so it was pretty good,' they said. When asked whether their parents or school leadership had objected to their attendance, the student said: 'The deputies at our school try to stop us, but, and my mum and dad support it because they also hate Pauline.' National Union of Students organiser Avasa Bhattacharya told Daily Mail they helped coordinate the nationwide protests against Hanson and had anticipated strong attendance after the campaign gained traction online. Bhattacharya said the scale of the Sydney turnout still exceeded expectations. An organiser told Daily Mail they planned to create a 'political crisis in the streets'  'Kind of had like a bit of suspicion that it was going to be big because it just went viral over social media, but this is like nothing that I would have expected to be honest.' They said the demonstration formed part of a broader National Union of Students campaign being held simultaneously across the country. Looking ahead, Bhattacharya said they hoped the protest would encourage more people to publicly oppose Hanson and become involved in future demonstrations. Senator Hanson has blamed left-wing teachers for encouraging the students to protest. 'Schools should teach young Australians how to think, not what to think,' she said. 'If you want to protest something, protest why your parents' wages are going backwards and the cost of everything is going up. 'The Labor Greens government is selling out your future, and you'll inherit a weaker, poorer and less safe country.' One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce also lashed out. 'They been told to hate this country, and they've been advised by people – because it's not on the students' own volition – they've been advised by a clique of people who have a political purpose,' Joyce said. Senator Hanson's daughter Lee Hanson, suggested the children had become indoctrinated. 'Schools should be places for education, critical thinking and respectful debate – not breeding grounds for political activism or ideological indoctrination,' she said. 'Young Australians should be encouraged to hear different points of view and real facts, question ideas and make up their own minds. 'Teach students how to think – not what to think. 'Do you honestly believe that three weeks ago those children of their own volition were saying: "I think I'm going to have a political protest against a political party?" No, they just wanted to go to school and play soccer with their mates. 'Socialist teachers, left-wing teachers are making their statement and using the kids as a prop, and that's very, very wrong.'