One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts Faces Scrutiny Over Staged Covid Claims

Senator Roberts’ Pandemic Claims

The footage, recorded in 2025 and recently brought to light by the Nine newspapers, features Senator Malcolm Roberts speaking at a forum hosted by podcaster Sam Hope. In the video, the senator questions the veracity of early pandemic reporting, specifically targeting visual evidence of mass casualties.

“Major news broadcasters had these videos of people dying in their droves in makeshift morgues in the streets of New York, the streets of Beijing, the streets of Italy. We thought it is pretty serious from what we’ve seen. We didn’t realise until fairly recently that those were all staged. They’re bulls***.”

Senator Malcolm Roberts, One Nation Senator

Senator Roberts further argued that the severity of the illness was overstated, suggesting that if the elderly and immunocompromised were excluded, the health impact would be low. He claimed that official bureaucratic graphs showed only low to moderate severity and asserted that the public was conned.

Political Fallout and Public Support

The surfacing of these comments has intensified the political pressure on One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. While Senator Roberts has previously faced accusations of embracing conspiracy theories and anti-Semitic tropes, the party is now contending with a measurable decline in voter support. A Roy Morgan poll published this week indicates One Nation’s primary vote dropped 5.5 percentage points to 22.5 per cent.

In contrast, the same polling data shows the Coalition’s support rising to 23 per cent, while Labor remains steady at 27.5 per cent. As ODT, the dip in popularity coincides with widespread criticism of Senator Hanson’s recent overseas travel. Her trip included an interview with anti-immigration activist and convicted criminal Tommy Robinson and a visit to Italy alongside billionaire benefactor Gina Rinehart.

Government and Internal Reactions

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been vocal in his condemnation, accusing Senator Hanson of using her international platform to talk Australia down. Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the Prime Minister directed sharp criticism at Senator Roberts’ history of promoting conspiracy theories.

“This is a guy who’s been elected and re-elected, and endorsed and re-endorsed, multiple times by Pauline Hanson and One Nation. And his views are not worthy of being a senator.”

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia

Within his own party, Senator Roberts has received a mixed response. As canberradaily.com.au, One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce attempted to distance himself from the comments while avoiding a direct confrontation. Malcolm’s a great guy, he’s so smart, but on that issue I don’t concur with his view, Joyce told Sky News. He’s entitled to have it and I’m entitled to have mine.

Future Scrutiny and Party Stability

The emergence of these claims has complicated the broader political landscape, particularly regarding potential collaborations between minor parties and the Liberal Party. Amid rumors of possible mergers in South Australia, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor firmly dismissed such prospects, seeking to differentiate the Coalition’s policy platform from the muddled agenda of One Nation. As the party faces continued scrutiny over its Senator’s rhetoric, the upcoming parliamentary sessions will likely test whether One Nation can stabilize its polling numbers or if the controversy surrounding Senator Roberts will lead to further calls for his resignation or formal distance from the party leadership.