The White Queen

One Nation and the Politics of Race

Most Australians despise what Pauline Hanson stands for, yet politics in this country is now orbiting around One Nation.

In this timely Quarterly Essay, David Marr looks at Australia’s politics of fear, resentment and race. Who votes One Nation, and why? How much of this is due to inequality? How much to racism? How should the major parties respond to anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim voices? What damage do Australia’s new entrepreneurs of hate inflict on the nation?

Written with drama and wit, this is a ground-breaking look at politics and prejudice by one of Australia’s best writers.

Correspondence discussing Quarterly Essay 65, The White Queen:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Marr is the author of Patrick White: A Life, Panic, The High Price of Heaven and Dark Victory (with Marian Wilkinson). He has written for the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age, the Saturday Paper, the Guardian and the Monthly, and been editor of the National Times, a reporter for Four Corners and presenter of ABC TV’s Media Watch. He is the author of five bestselling Quarterly Essays.

READ AN EXTRACT

The return of Pauline Hanson calls for national reflection. A strange gap has opened between the mood of this country and the temper of its politics.

Read An Extract

WATCH THE VIDEO

David Marr discusses his Quarterly Essay 'The White Queen: One Nation and the Politics of Race'.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Marr is devastating in showing both major political parties in the country entirely preferenced One Nation last while essentially endorsing her racism on the boat people

The Age/Sydney Morning Herald