Australia’s race discrimination commissioner has called for an apology after Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, made remarks about Islam during an interview with Sky News Australia on Monday. Hanson said Australia should take a “tough stance” against Islam and questioned whether there are “good Muslims.”

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said statements that stigmatise and devalue groups increase fear and division and called on Hanson to withdraw her comments and apologise to Muslim Australians. He said social cohesion cannot be built by isolating or casting suspicion on an entire group and emphasized respect as a starting point for unity.

Hanson later told ABC she did not believe there were no good Muslims and said she was sorry if anyone was offended. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said her remarks were “wrong and cruel.” Polling shows One Nation ahead of the main opposition coalition, though it currently holds one seat in the 150-member lower house and four seats in the 76-member upper house, with Australia’s next general election due by May 2028.