The interruption occurred as the new state leader, whose identity has not been disclosed by One Nation, was delivering an opening statement. He switched to Japanese mid-sentence, apparently to engage with a specific segment of the audience or to demonstrate his language skills. Hanson, seated nearby, cut him off, saying, "Speak English. This is Australia." The state leader then apologised and continued in English.

Hanson, the founder and leader of One Nation, has long advocated for stricter immigration policies and the primacy of English. In a brief statement after the press conference, she said, "Australians expect our leaders to communicate in English. If you're in a public role, you should use the common language. It's about respect and unity."

The new state leader, appointed earlier this month, offered a different perspective through a spokesperson. He said his use of Japanese was intended to highlight his ability to connect with multicultural communities and to promote trade and cultural ties, particularly given Australia's strong economic links with Japan. He expressed regret that his gesture had been misinterpreted.

The incident has drawn sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. Labor MP Linda Burney called it "a disrespectful and xenophobic outburst," while Greens senator Mehreen Faruki said it "undermines the value of multiculturalism." Some One Nation supporters defended Hanson, arguing that English should be the default in official settings. The party has yet to comment on whether the state leader's actions will have any internal consequences.

This is not the first time Hanson has clashed over language. In 2019, she criticised Woolworths for offering bilingual checkouts, and in 2022 she called for migrants to be tested on English proficiency. The latest episode comes as the Australian government continues to promote multilingualism in schools and public services, part of a broader push to strengthen ties with Asia.

The state leader's appointment was seen as an effort by One Nation to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional base. Whether this incident damages that strategy remains to be seen.