One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has lashed out at a television reporter over what she described as a “stupid question” during a heated airport exchange, as her party celebrated raising more than $1.5 million in just 24 hours for a campaign targeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The fiery encounter took place in Perth after Senator Hanson arrived on a commercial flight from the east coast.
A Channel Nine reporter questioned why the One Nation leader had chosen to fly with a regular airline instead of using a private aircraft recently made available to her by mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.
“Why didn’t you fly Gina’s jet?” the reporter asked, before following up with: “Did you fly cattle class?”
The questions did not go down well.
“I’m not answering those stupid questions. Get some credibility about you as a journalist and learn respect as well,” Senator Hanson replied.
Her chief of staff, James Ashby, was heard muttering “what a stupid question” as he filmed the exchange.
The awkward airport moment came during a remarkable week for One Nation, which claims to have raised more than $1.5 million through its “Fire the Liar” fundraising campaign.
The campaign was launched after Labor sent supporters an email seeking donations to help “stop One Nation”, prompting a furious response from Senator Hanson.
By Wednesday evening, a donation tracker on the campaign website showed more than $1 million had already been pledged. While some Labor figures privately questioned whether the total was accurate, One Nation insists the donations are genuine and reflect growing frustration among voters.
Senator Hanson used social media to accuse the Albanese government of breaking promises and failing Australians struggling with housing affordability, cost-of-living pressures and retirement security.
Meanwhile, Mr Albanese brushed off the campaign, saying: “I’ll let Pauline Hanson engage in negative activity. What I’m doing here is actually doing something real for people.”
The fundraising success comes as new polling suggests One Nation’s popularity continues to grow.
According to a recent poll, support for One Nation has climbed to 31 per cent, ahead of Labor on 28 per cent and the Coalition on 20 per cent.
Senator Hanson said the results showed many Australians were looking for a different political direction.
“I have always said the polls are only polls, but it’s clear Australia is asking for a different direction,” she said.
Adding to the political debate, Senator Hanson recently defended her attendance record in Parliament after criticism that she had missed a large proportion of Senate estimates hearings over the past decade.
She argued that speaking directly with Australians was more valuable than sitting through proceedings where bureaucrats often refused to answer questions.
“I’m getting the answers from the Australian people, directly from them,” she said.
Former Nationals MP and current One Nation figure Barnaby Joyce said the polling surge should not be dismissed.
“It’s not One Nation that’s changed. It’s the Australian public that’s changed, and they’ve changed in waves,” he said.
“It’s not an aberration. It’s real.”
Whether the fundraising blitz and strong polling can be converted into votes at the next election remains to be seen, but for now Senator Hanson appears to be enjoying a rare political moment where both attention and support are flowing her way.
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