Pauline Hanson slams teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, saying she has ‘no life experience’

Sarah IsonThe West Australian
Camera IconOne Nation leader Pauline Hanson. Credit: Sky News

One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson has taken aim at climate activist Greta Thunberg’s speech to the United Nations, saying the 16-year-old was merely a teenager with “no life experience”.

Senator Hanson, pictured right, said Thunberg’s performance was “disgraceful” and the views in her address to the UN’s climate summit were not her own.

“She was voicing what other people have put into her head,” Senator Hanson said.

“It’s very biased. It’s not a balanced view and this is why children are faced with anxiety, panic attacks, and they feel the world is coming to an end and it’s doomed.”

Thunberg attacked governments and businesses for “stealing her childhood” in the name of economic growth during an emotional address.

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“You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words,” she said.

Camera IconEnvironmental activist Greta Thunberg addresses the Climate Action Summit in the United Nations General Assembly. Credit: AP

“We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairytales of economic growth. How dare you.”

Despite the speech winning praise from many, Senator Hanson said she “was not impressed” with the climate activism of Thunberg, or the Australian students who took part in climate strikes last week.

“How much effort would these kids put into it if they had to go on a weekend? You know, their own time?” she said.

“It was great to take a day off school.

“It was hyped up by the media and by everyone and I think it’s disgraceful.”

Thunberg has gained a mix of popularity and notoriety across the world since she captured global attention with her activism over the past year. She protested outside the Swedish parliament and embarked on a carbon-neutral voyage across the Atlantic.

However, some world leaders, notably US President Donald Trump, have been quick to discredit the young activist.

President Trump posted the video of Thunberg’s speech on his Twitter, with the sarcastic tag “She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!”

Thunberg hit back with her own tongue-in-cheek response to the President, using his description of her as “a very happy young girl looking forward to the future” on her personal Twitter biography, which has a following of more than 2 million.

Controversial football identity Sam Newman also took the opportunity to lash out at Thunberg this week, calling her an “annoying little brat”.

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