Coalition MPs question former Nationals leader’s role amid Hanson family succession plans
Coalition MPs seized on Pauline Hanson’s suggestion that her daughter Lee could be the next party leader and questioned whether Barnaby Joyce would play second fiddle to the Hanson family and warned Hanson to “watch your back”.
At a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Perth on Thursday, Hanson said he would not quit politics until the “right people” were in office. He hinted it could be his daughter Lee Hanson, who stood in the last election for a Tasmanian Senate seat and is running again.
Hanson, 72, said he was proud of his daughter and said she would be a great asset to One Nation in the federal parliament if elected to the Senate. Support for One Nation has reached record levels since the last election.
“I don’t know how long it will take [her political career]”But I’m not going anywhere and I won’t give up until I know that I can easily pass on what I started to the next person to continue my legacy,” he said.
But Nationals MP Llew O’Brien, who remains friends with Joyce and is a strong advocate for him remaining in the Nationals, questioned the accuracy of Hanson’s comments. He said the former deputy prime minister had “done a very good job for them”.
“If Pauline is looking for someone, she’s got someone in her sights. Barnaby has clearly improved the fortunes of the party since his arrival and added some expertise,” he said.
“I don’t think Barnaby signed up to One Nation to play second fiddle to Lee [Hanson].
“When I heard that comment, that person [Hanson] He wants to hand it over, it’s not there yet.
Darren Chester, the second National MP to clash with Joyce in the party room, took aim at the former party leader.
“I have a little warning to Pauline Hanson… watch your back. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 18 years of federal parliament, it’s not to trust a word Barnaby Joyce says. He’s never been a team player and he won’t be satisfied unless he’s a leader,” Chester said.
“Joyce has a long history of unsuccessful dealings in parliament and has made it his business throughout his career to undermine National Party leaders such as Warren Truss, Michael McCormack and David Littleproud.”
When asked about Hanson’s comments in Perth, Joyce said he was not worried.
“It doesn’t worry me, I’m here because I’m trying to carry a political philosophy. It doesn’t concern me who the next prime minister, the next leader will be,” he said.
One Nation MP David Farley also downplayed Hanson’s comments and dismissed the question of who the next leader of One Nation would be as hypothetical.
“I’ve met Lee a few times. If Lee was part of the party, he would be a good team member and ultimately as the party grows, if he has the desire, I’m sure he would raise his hand,” he said.
Asked what the comments meant for Joyce, Farley said: “This is all very hypothetical at the moment. Lee needs to get into politics first.”
Similarly, a Liberal MP who asked to remain anonymous said Hanson’s comments were “extraordinary” and that the current party leader appeared to want to appoint a dynastic successor.
James Massola is the chief political commentator. He was previously national affairs editor and Southeast Asia correspondent. He won the Quill and Kennedy awards and was a Walkley finalist. Connect securely to Signal @jamesmassola.01Connect with: X or email.
