Pauline Hanson is having another tilt at politics, running as a candidate for One Nation in the Senate, and yesterday visited Narrabri as part of her tour around the state.
Some analysts have given the controversial former politician a real chance of returning to federal parliament, after winning a number of high preferences from parties including the Shooters and Fishers, the Liberal Democrats, Christian Democrats and Katter’s Australia Party.
Ms Hanson arrived in Narrabri yesterday afternoon after visiting AgQuip in Gunnedah, and was stopped by many locals along Maitland Street.
“I’ve been here a few times over the years, especially when I was a member of parliament, I’ve had a lot of support in Narrabri,” she said.
“I’m a country person, I’ve still got 150 acres myself, I’ve had cattle, I know what it’s like to work the land.”
The founding member of One Nation told The Courier that people across the state have all been raising similar issues with her.
“The main thing I’m hearing is the boat people [and their] cost to the taxpayer, the cost of living, electricity charges, people trying to pay for rents, small business red tape,” Ms Hanson said.
“People are also very concerned about the foreign ownership of land, particularly agricultural land, that really needs addressing, I don’t want our prime land in the hands of foreign owners.”
Ms Hanson said she’s been overwhelmed at the level of support from people during her travels.
“It’s been astounding, people have been saying ‘we should have listened to you years ago, you warned us about what was going to happen’ and I think people are honestly fed up with both political parties,” she said.
“They’re looking for honesty, someone who’s there to speak out on their behalf and that’s what I’m hearing from Australians.”
She said the issue of people coming by boat to Australia was particularly concerning among people she’s met around the state, and said the solution had to begin with Indonesia.
“We give Indonesia $650 million a year in foreign aid, you have to deal with Indonesia, you can’t push the problem on to PNG (Papua New Guinea),” Ms Hanson said.
“Go back to where it’s happening, Indonesia, it’s where it has to be stopped, use part of that money and say you have to control your borders.
“That’s where we have to say to them that we have to work with them.
“We’ve got a treaty for peace and good governance within the region, and they’re not doing their bit with that.
“We’ve got to show some strong leadership, we have to say we’ve given you all this money and you have to start working with us.”
Ms Hanson said she’s had strong support in multicultural areas.
“I went to Parramatta in the western suburbs, they’ve got Sri Lankans, Indians, Chinese, Malaysians, all happy to meet me, have a photo with me, I’ve got no problems with people who come here to join us and become Australians and be proud of our country,” she said.
Ms Hanson was due to visit Moree, Warialda, Inverell and Tamworth today.