Pauline Hanson fires back at 'jealous' critics after she rubbed shoulders with A-listers at Dolce & Gabbana fashion show during luxury trip to Italy

By CAITLIN POWELL - NEWS REPORTER Published: 03:19, 18 July 2026 | Updated: 03:19, 18 July 2026 Pauline Hanson has insisted her critics are just 'jealous' after she attended a star-studded Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Italy. In a move that surprised many, the One Nation leader, 72, attended the lavish Alta Moda showcase in Taormina, Sicily, on Tuesday. She appeared alongside an elite guest list featuring Australia's richest woman Gina Rinehart, Jennifer Lopez, Monica Bellucci, The White Lotus star Theo James and Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor used the opportunity to take a shot at the senator, and accused her of 'living it up' while there was controversy within her own party back home. Taylor said Hanson needed to address One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts' divisive comments where he praised US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and said Russian President Vladimir Putin had 'earned his respect' for invading Ukraine.  'The question here for Pauline Hanson is, what is she going to do about it? She's over in Italy right now, you know, living it up, it seems,' Taylor said on Thursday. 'Look, she needs to deal with this and she needs to deal with this now.' But Hanson pushed back against the criticism in a video filmed in a London taxi, arguing other Australian politicians were also enjoying a European summer holiday.  Pauline Hanson has insisted her critics are 'jealous' after she attended a star-studded Dolce & Gabbana showcase in Italy In a move that has surprised many, the One Nation leader (right) attended the designer's lavish Alta Moda event in Taormina, Sicily Opposition Leader Angus Taylor (pictured) said Hanson was 'living it up' while not addressing internal issues within One Nation back in Australia 'I can't believe you, Angus [Taylor] ... why don't you talk to your own members of parliament ... all here visiting in Italy,' Hanson said. 'I don't think the Labor Party's over it as well. There've been six members of parliament in Italy this week, but let's have a go at Pauline Hanson. 'Not $1 cost to the taxpayer. Yes, I went to Sicily. Yes, I went to the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show. 'Is it my scene? No, no way in the wide world. But it was an experience. It was fabulous, fantastic to see, but it's not something I will ever go to again. 'I just see a lot of jealousy out there. It's no cost to the taxpayer.' Hanson and Ms Rinehart had earlier been photographed together at the exclusive Grand Hotel San Pietro in Taormina - the luxury hotel made famous as a filming location during the second season of The White Lotus. Images shared online showed the pair looking relaxed as they kicked back at the pool of the five-star property overlooking the Ionian Sea. Hanson's office later confirmed the pair share a long-standing friendship, with a spokesperson saying Ms Rinehart has supported One Nation for many years.  Hanson (above) was spotted at a luxury hotel on the Italian island of Sicily  Before the showcase, Hanson travelled to the UK where she was interviewed by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, who has previous convictions including assault and fraud 'For a long time now, it's been a matter of record that Senator Hanson and Ms Rinehart are friends and that Ms Rinehart is a strong supporter of One Nation,' the spokesperson said. 'Senator Hanson is grateful for the support from Ms Rinehart, a successful Australian businesswoman and generous philanthropist.' Before the showcase, Hanson travelled to the UK where she was interviewed by far-right UK activist Tommy Robinson, who has previous convictions for offences including assault and fraud.  Her decision to meet Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was widely condemned. Hanson returned to the UK on Friday and was sitting in the front row for an address by Nigel Farage, who leads the anti-immigration party Reform UK, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in London. 'She's quite remarkable – she never goes away, she just keeps on going,' Farage told The Sydney Morning Herald outside the forum. 'She's very clever on social media and she got it years ago, in a way that the Liberal Party of Australia didn't. And I think that slow build has been really, really impressive. 'The Australian Liberal Party has just lost its way completely.'  However, when asked about her appearance on Robinson's podcast, Farage suggested it is not an approach he would take. 'It wouldn't have been my choice,' he said.