One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says she takes policy advice from ‘friend’ Gina Rinehart
Originally published by Nicolas Perpitch and Oliver Peterson of 102.5ABC
11.06.2026
In short:
One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson says she considers Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart a friend, and takes policy advice from her.
Senator Hanson said her party was going after Labor seats in Western Australia, which is due to hold elections in 2029.
Ms Hanson became emotional during a Perth event when recalling her 2003 detention for electoral fraud. The conviction was later overturned.
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 won’t have anyone have a go because she’s, you know, ok she’s a billionaire.
“Good luck to her. I don’t believe in the tall poppy syndrome of pulling someone down because they’ve made a success of their life or business.
“I have a lot of respect for the woman and what she’s done.”
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.”
Detention a ‘very hard time’
Earlier at 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.”
Senator Hanson alleged domestic violence had been part of her second marriage, which ended in 1987.
“Our marriage broke down, and I won’t go into detail but I had domestic violence as well in my marriage,” she said.
Senator Hanson did not specify what allegedly occurred.
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.
“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.
“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.”
