Barnaby Joyce defends Hanson's talk with far-right criminal and battles dog in ABC interview

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has tried to defend party leader Pauline Hanson’s decision to meet far-right convicted criminal Tommy Robinson during a recent visit to the UK.

On ABC’s 7.30 program, Joyce first acknowledged Robinson had done “some things” that were “basically against the law” but went on to blame a “form of Balkanisation, where there’s not an assimilation” for “massive problems, and we saw that in Bondi”.

The interview was spiky from the start, as Joyce responded to host Sarah Ferguson’s welcome saying: “I don’t know whether you do welcome me, but let’s have a go.” It was also made more awkward by several interruptions by a dog.

The first time, as Joyce was asked if he was “comfortable with where [Hanson] is taking you”, he turned and loudly yelled “sit down!” off camera, then explained “sorry, it’s a dog”. The second time, he was asked about mass deportation plans. Joyce apologised again for the dog. Ferguson said: “Don’t worry about the dog. Just answer the question.” Joyce responded: “Don’t be rude. Otherwise, this interview will come to a grinding halt, Sarah.”

Ferguson put to Joyce that Hanson was effectively endorsing a man with an extensive criminal record, condemned by UK authorities for encouraging race riots. Joyce responded that there is not a condoning of every action of Tommy Robinson, and that he did not know who bankrolled Hanson’s trip.