Malcolm Roberts faces scrutiny over conspiracy theories amid One Nation surge

Malcolm Roberts faces scrutiny over conspiracy theories amid One Nation surge

One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts is facing intense political and public scrutiny following the re-emergence of a series of controversial claims involving bioweapons, global elites, and debunked conspiracy theories. The backlash coincides with a period of significant volatility for One Nation, which surged in polls during the first half of 2026, briefly surpassing both Labor and the Coalition before seeing a slight slip in support in recent weeks.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the 71-year-old Queensland senator, stating that Roberts’ views are not worthy of being a senator. The Prime Minister cited Roberts' history of promoting conspiracy theories and cautioned that such views are dangerous, specifically referencing anti-vaccination rhetoric.

Vaccines and Bioweapons

Recent reports from the ABC have revealed previously unreported remarks made by Roberts during a Zoom livestream four years ago with anti-vaccine mandate activists, including Michael O'Neill and former Qantas captain Graham Hood. During the discussion, Roberts claimed that the general miscarriage rate worldwide was about 13 per cent, but asserted that for women injected with a COVID-19 vaccine in the first trimester, the rate was 75 per cent.

These claims contradict extensive medical evidence. A 2023 systematic review in the journal Human Reproduction, which pooled 21 studies of 149,685 women, found no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. Similarly, a 2021 analysis of 2,456 pregnancies published in The New England Journal of Medicine reached the same conclusion.

In a June podcast, Roberts further alleged that COVID vaccines were killer bioweapons and claimed the US defense department had a major say in their development, though he provided no evidence for these assertions.

Globalism and the "Ultra-Elite"

The senator has frequently targeted international organizations and financial entities. In November 2025, Roberts claimed the World Economic Forum and the United Nations were destroying democracies to create a new world economic order at the behest of the ultra-wealthy. He specifically named asset managers Blackrock, Vanguard, and State Street as the entities controlling major world events and the catalysts for the COVID pandemic.

Roberts has also described the US government as the world’s greatest terrorist organisation. Furthermore, Roberts shared an image of a mural depicting bankers with exaggerated features counting money; while Roberts defended the image as a critique of globalisation, the Anti-Defamation Commission's chair, Dvir Abramovich, described it as one of the most notorious antisemitic murals of our time.

"Beacon of Hope" and "False Flags"

In October 2024, Roberts appeared on The Alex Jones Show, where he hailed the American conspiracy theorist as a beacon of hope around the world. Jones is well known for falsely claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a false flag and that the September 11 attacks were an inside job.

Roberts’ reluctance to dismiss similar theories has sparked further outrage. In May 2026, when asked if the Bondi massacre was a false flag, Roberts responded that he did not have the data to rule it out completely.

Atmospheric and Climate Claims

Roberts has also been linked to the "chemtrail" conspiracy theory—the erroneous belief that aircraft spread toxic chemicals to manipulate weather or populations. In an interview, Roberts stated it was highly likely the US military was conducting such trials, though he admitted he had no evidence. He later accused Sky News of selective cherry-picking and editing his responses to paint him as a conspiracy theorist, claiming he had not seen evidence of chemtrails specifically in Australia.

This advocacy follows a long history of climate skepticism. Roberts previously served as a project leader for the Galileo Movement and, in 2011, sent a pseudolegal affidavit to then Prime Minister Julia Gillard demanding an exemption from the carbon tax.

Political Fallout

The Liberal party has sought to distance itself from these views. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor questioned what Pauline Hanson intends to do about Roberts' comments, noting that Hanson was in Italy right now living it up while the controversy grew. Shadow industry minister Andrew Hastie argued that One Nation's team deserves proper scrutiny given their surge in support.

Within One Nation, reactions have been mixed. MP Barnaby Joyce stated he would not carpet Roberts, arguing that members are entitled to their views and that individual statements do not equal party policy. However, Labor MP Allegra Spender has called for Roberts' resignation over the sharing of the antisemitic mural.

The scrutiny comes as Pauline Hanson faces additional pressure regarding a fact-finding mission to the UK to meet far-right activist Tommy Robinson and photographs of a trip with Gina Rinehart.