One Nation’s Pauline Hanson ‘granted permission’ to scale Uluru before ban

Aboriginal Elders have granted permission for One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson to climb Uluru a month after she publicly criticised their ban on the tourist activity at the sacred rock.

Touching down in central Australia on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Hanson announced she was invited to met with traditional owners after calling for them to overturn their land-mark decision.

Effective on October 26, the traditional owners will close the climbing route after the motion was first unanimously voted for by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Board in 2017.

“The Anangu Mayatja Council of Elders have invited me to the rock for discussions about their future following my calls for the climb to remain open,” she said.

“I have been given permission by Anangu Mayatja Council of Elders, Mr Reggie Uluru and Mr Cassidy Uluru to climb the Rock.”

Taking to social media to reveal her mission, Ms Hanson said she would attempt to climb the sacred site when the weather permitted.

While promising Facebook followers “I’ll keep you posted” on Wednesday morning, there was no indication by evening if she had achieved her goal.

The controversial mission was met with backlash online by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, with some labelling it as a “stunt” and an “insult”.

When Ms Hanson first spoke out on the ban during a Today show appearance in July, she said the move was comparable to shutting down Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach.