Bold opening: A high-profile keynote slot at a women-focused real estate conference was abruptly pulled after a wave of protests and online ridicule, sparking a heated backlash from several industry voices.
The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW) announced that Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, would no longer headline the Women in Real Estate (WIRE) conference set for Sydney’s Shangri-La Hotel in April. The event, priced at $545 per ticket, had billed itself as a gathering of influential figures shaping the future of property, with Hanson slated to speak on housing and national policy—described in promotional materials as a moment attendees wouldn’t want to miss.
The invitation featured a photo of Hanson with the caption “Introducing Senator Pauline Hanson” and the tagline “Connected. Empowered. Inspired.” The initial announcement came on February 23, exactly one week after Hanson had sparked controversy with a public statement declaring that there are “no good Muslims.”
Four days later, on February 27, REINSW reversed course and cancelled her appearance. In an email to members, the Institute admitted it had been overwhelmed by complaints, noting that many attendees could not separate Hanson’s resilience story from her political policies. The decision followed pressure from within the organization and public dissent that grew as the situation unfolded.
One REINSW Regional Advisory Committee member, Marc Minor, resigned in protest, saying the industry should be inclusive, respectful, and forward-looking. On social media, some users mocked the idea of Hanson headlining a real estate event, with jokes about how the industry’s reputation could sink further. A few comments suggested the debate over housing affordability had become entangled with broader political narratives about migration and policy.
Hanson’s presence had been part of a broader speaker lineup for WIRE that included figures such as mentalist and mindset coach Andy Nunn, PropTech CEO Rebecca Moroney, Nitschke Real Estate CEO Michael Nitschke, and Domain Vice President Belinda Sinclair. The conference materials had highlighted Hanson’s long career in politics and her influence on national dialogue.
REINSW’s chief executive Tim McKibbin—who describes himself as a “Real Estate Thought Leader” on LinkedIn—stated that WIRE has historically hosted a diverse range of speakers from various sectors and backgrounds, sharing different life experiences, challenges, and motivations. He explained that while Hanson’s resilience is undeniable, her policies span many issues, and a substantial portion of the membership felt they could not dissociate her personal story from her political platform. Consequently, Hanson will not be speaking at WIRE.
Hanson has faced criticism beyond the conference context. Her remarks on Sky News, in which she claimed there are no good Muslims and that adherents of the faith “hate Westerners,” drew sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum. Notably, prominent conservative figures in Australia, including Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, labeled the remarks divisive, inflammatory, and un-Australian.
What do you think about events like this? Should professional conferences prioritize a speaker’s personal history and policies over their resilience and public influence, or should the focus remain on the speaker’s contribution to the topic at hand? Share your views in the comments.
