One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson says she consults billionaire Gina Rinehart on policy and considers her a friend.
Ms Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, is a well-known supporter of One Nation and in April gifted Senator Hanson a $1 million plane.
“I consider her a friend and I’m very … grateful for her support. She’s an Australian identity, she’s one of the highest taxpayers in the country,” Senator Hanson told 102.5 ABC Radio Perth.
“I have a lot of respect for the woman and what she’s done.”
Senator Hanson said she considers billionaire Gina Rinehart a friend and adviser. (ABC)
Asked if she consulted Ms Rinehart on policy, Senator Hanson confirmed she did.
“She’s been very beneficial,” she said.
“My policy on pensioners being able to work unlimited hours and without losing their pension or health care card came from Mrs Rinehart. And I think that’s great. I listen to anyone who brings good policy to me.”
Several friends of Gina Rinehart have made substantial donations to One Nation. (Twitter: Pauline Hanson)
Detention a ‘very hard time’
During an event in Perth on Wednesday night, Senator Hanson said One Nation had been underestimated and she was going to target Labor seats at the next election and “take our country back”.
Several hundred people protested outside the sundowner, accusing Senator Hanson of racism, an accusation she denies.
Pauline Hanson became emotional during the breakfast function when recalling her 2003 detention. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
During a breakfast event in Perth on Thursday, Senator Hanson became emotional and appeared to dab a tear from her eye as she spoke of the time she spent 11 weeks in prison for electoral fraud in 2003. Her conviction was ultimately overturned.
She said on her first night in detention she saw her daughter on the television and “it just broke my heart, as it is now”.
Pausing to compose herself, she said with a faltering voice: “It was a very hard time for me, and it was a very hard time for my children.”
Rallying support
Recent polls have indicated One Nation is the most popular party in Australia, ahead of Labor and the Coalition.
Senator Hanson has promised to target Labor seats at the next election, and One Nation state MP and WA leader Rod Caddies said her Perth sundowner event was the start of a movement for change in Western Australia.
But WA Premier Roger Cook questioned Senator Hanson’s integrity.
“Her political strategy is clear: divide the community between those who have got legitimate concerns and those she says are to blame for those problems,” Mr Cook told ABC Radio Perth on Thursday.
WA Premier Roger Cook criticised Senator Hanson’s policies as divisive. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)
“And the people she’s always blamed are minority groups. But when it comes down to it she’s voted against tax cuts, she’s voted against improvements to Medicare, she’s voted against cheaper childcare, she’s voted for freezing pensions, over 15 times.
“So when it really counts does she really stand up for those she says she cares about.”
Senator Hanson rejected the criticism.
“That’s absolutely a load of hogwash to say that I’m against Medicare. Again, Labor’s lies,” she said.
Pauline Hanson met with supporters on Wednesday night. (ABC News: Andrew O’Connor)
“This is people of the Labor side who are scared. This is a scared premier who can see that people now have someone else to go to.
“You’ve got your elections here in WA in two years’ time.
“I will be gearing up for those state elections as well.”
