Barnaby Joyce defends Pauline Hanson's meeting with Tommy Robinson, dog interrupts interview

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has defended Pauline Hanson's meeting with far-right British activist Tommy Robinson during a television interview that was twice interrupted by his dog.

On ABC's 7.30 on Monday, Mr Joyce rejected suggestions the One Nation leader had crossed a "red line" by meeting with Robinson, who has a lengthy criminal record and has been condemned by British authorities over his role in encouraging anti-immigration demonstrations.

Mr Joyce disputed claims that Senator Hanson had actively sought the interview, instead arguing it was arranged as part of a television production.

"I don't believe that it was a carte blanche case that One Nation wanted that meeting," he said.

"I think it was basically suggested by [Channel Seven's] Spotlight, agreed to by One Nation."

Presenter Sarah Ferguson challenged that account, saying Channel Seven had told the ABC the meeting had been arranged before the broadcaster became involved.

Mr Joyce said he had "read the emails" and maintained a different view.

The exchange centred on Senator Hanson's recent trip to Europe, where she attended a right-wing conference before recording a podcast and filming with Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

Robinson has been convicted of contempt of court, using a false passport, fraud, assault, and has been jailed.

He was a member of the extreme-right British National Party, and he was behind the now-defunct English Defence League, an anti-Islamic protest organisation.

Asked whether Senator Hanson should have known Robinson's background before agreeing to the interview, Mr Joyce said she had not travelled to Britain "with a bio of everything that Tommy Robinson had done".

He acknowledged Robinson had committed criminal offences, but said that did not mean Senator Hanson endorsed his actions.

Instead, Mr Joyce argued Robinson's prominence reflected broader tensions in British society.

"Tommy Robinson would not exist if there was not such a fracture … within English society that has given support to Tommy Robinson," he said.

Ferguson repeatedly redirected the discussion to Senator Hanson's own actions and comments during the trip, including footage of her driving through predominantly Muslim neighbourhoods in Britain and criticising what she saw.

The ABC presenter asked Mr Joyce whether he agreed with Senator Hanson's characterisation of Muslims after Senator Hanson said in the program: "Muslims breed, and the taxpayer pays".

Mr Joyce responded by saying problems arose when communities failed to assimilate, arguing "Balkanisation" created divisions that were "at odds with the egalitarian ethos of Australia".

Dog halts interview twice

As Ferguson pressed him on whether he had set limits on defending Senator Hanson, Mr Joyce looked off-camera and yelled "sit down!"

"Sorry … it's the dog," he said with a laugh.

Later, as Ferguson questioned One Nation's policy on identifying visa overstayers through the health system, the dog interrupted the interview again.

When Ferguson encouraged him to continue answering the question, Mr Joyce replied: "Don't be rude. Otherwise, this interview will come to a grinding halt, Sarah."

After the brief distraction, Mr Joyce denied One Nation would require doctors or hospitals to report visa overstayers, calling the suggestion "ridiculous", while maintaining people in Australia unlawfully should be removed from the country.

The interview concluded with questions about mining billionaire Gina Rinehart's relationship with One Nation and whether she had funded parts of Senator Hanson's European trip.

Mr Joyce said he did not know who had paid for the travel and suggested any support would ultimately be disclosed through parliamentary transparency requirements.

As the interview ended, Ferguson assured Mr Joyce the dog had been "no problem".