One Nation leader rejects claims of Gina Rinehart influence as baseless
Pauline Hanson called allegations that mining magnate Gina Rinehart is steering One Nation’s policy “absolute garbage” and denied any financial ties to former campaign director Sean Black.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson dismissed accusations that Australia’s wealthiest individual, Gina Rinehart, is influencing the party’s strategy and policy, calling the claims “absolute garbage.” The allegations were based on a secretly recorded conversation with former national campaign director Sean Black, who said a “conga line of people” linked to Rinehart was moving through the party and that adviser James Ashby was using One Nation for personal gain. Black also asserted he continued to work for the party after his dismissal in April.
Speaking in Swan Hill, Hanson said she was “furious” about the reporting and criticized the media for “dragging” dirt on her. She denied ever paying Black’s family firm for fundraising and said the party wants “sheer honesty” from voters. The remarks came as both major parties condemned the allegations, with Environment Minister Murray Watt stating that they suggest One Nation is “not in this for working people,” and Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson saying the claims undermine trust and integrity in the party.
According to the Resolve Political Monitor, One Nation is polling at 23 % in Victoria, trailing the incumbent Labor government. The party’s state leader Warren Pickering remains behind Premier Ben Carroll and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson in preferred-premier rankings.