Senator defends by-election candidate and outlines vision for Australia’s future
The Pauline Hanson standing in front of the entire room at Crown Perth’s Grand Ballroom on Tuesday morning was not the Pauline Hanson we were all expecting.
Seven launches current affairs program after provocative appearance in Britain alongside far-right agitator Tommy Robinson and his firearm AgendaPerth was preparing for the One Nation leader to emerge with all guns blazing.
But Senator Hanson’s performance Western Australia‘s Leadership Matters breakfast event was controlled, purposeful and controversy-free (by his standards), making him look like one of those terrifying establishment figures he’s trying to kill. Odysseus-As in the coming battle for Australia’s hearts and minds.
Rather than leaning into the positions that have been standard for him for months, Hanson spoke at length about Western Australia; He both celebrated the state as the country’s economic engine and outlined the challenges we face and the factors holding us back.
After breakfast, the press pack questioned 39-year-old Rockingham businessman Luke Herdigan, One Nation’s newly elected candidate for the upcoming Secret Harbor by-election, about his history of alcohol and drug abuse and his driving record. Hanson remained cool and defended his party’s choice.
When Hanson addressed the issue of immigration during his speech, determined to distance himself from recent debates, it was numbers, not nationalities, that were of concern.
But it didn’t matter how hard or soft Hanson went, because the WA audience, made up mostly of grassroots one-nation supporters and a smattering of business and political types, embraced it.
Hanson took great pleasure in his criticism of Anthony Albanese, an indication that they now claim to be the voice of conservative Australia.
Crucially, Hanson has shed the doom and gloom veil in which she normally surrounds herself and for which she has been criticized by Albanese (“I find it surprising that Pauline Hanson would travel abroad to denigrate and denigrate Australia,” the Prime Minister said on Monday).
Echoing the plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty, Hanson said: “Bring me your problems and bring your ideas because I believe this: This country is not falling apart. It’s being held back. We can be a nation that rewards people who do things, build things, and take risks.”
Hanson’s shift from pessimism to positivity surprised even the event’s host when it came time for post-speech Q&A.
“Well, I think that speech might have surprised a lot of people in the room,” he said. West before editor Chris Dore brings up topics he clearly avoids.
But even when Dore brought up the recent White Australia policy debate, he was spurred on by comments on it. AgendaHanson continued to hold his position.
“Don’t go there with me,” Hanson snapped. “Let me tell you this: I can’t stand this.”
In fact, there was so much love for Hanson in the room (and even more love for her European traveling companion, Gina Rinehart, who was not in the room) that she relaxed enough to talk about a topic that journalists had been pressing her on for several months: Does she want to be Prime Minister?
Hanson paused before launching into a brief recap of his political history, reminding everyone that he was forced out of the party he founded, and when it collapsed, he devoted himself to rebuilding it.
“I think I have built trust with people during this time and been consistent with my views, my values, my passion and my commitment to what I want for the country,” Hanson said.
“If I were in this position, which could happen in the next election, [of being] I could do this if I were the prime minister of this country. “I have no doubt about that.”
The election is two years away, and Hanson has offered no plans to move house; this is a prerequisite for taking the top job if the One Nation juggernaut accelerates further.
But Tuesday’s Crown event definitely had the feel of a campaign launch.
“Prime Ministerial candidate Pauline Hanson.” Here is a t-shirt that will divide this country
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Mark Naglazas is a journalist specializing in Perth culture and arts.
