Former Liberal Party vice president Teena McQueen has died after a “short, but severe” medical condition.
McQueen’s family confirmed her death in a statement on Wednesday.
“We are extremely devastated to inform you that our mum passed away earlier today after a short but severe medical condition,” it read.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking for all of us, and particularly her gorgeous grandsons, who she was extremely close to.”
McQueen served as the federal Liberal Party vice president from 2017 to 2023 and was a lifelong member of the party before announcing earlier this year that she had joined One Nation.
Speaking on Sky News on Wednesday night, Hanson said she learnt of McQueen’s death just minutes before entering Parliament after receiving a message from her grandson.
“I could not believe that the message was sent by her grandson. He said: ‘She thought very much of you and I remember the time that we spent together’, and he said: ‘I just wanted you to know that my nan passed away’ and I was absolutely devastated, I was shocked,” she said.
“I thought, could this be real?
“I then rang the number and I spoke to Teena’s daughter, Paige, who confirmed it and it’s just devastating.
“She was a woman full of life, vibrant. She had tenacity, she stood her ground.
“I met her and I got to know her a few years ago and we spent some time together. She wasn’t a person to be in the kitchen cooking so I cooked the meals and we had a laugh about the many things that we did.”
Hanson said McQueen later told her she wanted to leave the Liberals and join One Nation.
“I thought she was a lovely person, I befriended her and she turned and said to me one day, Pauline, I’m coming aboard for One Nation.
“She said, the Liberals aren’t delivering the conservatism that I believe in, that she’s fought for so long.”
According to Hanson, McQueen had planned to contest the NSW Central Coast seat of Dobell at the next federal election.
“She was going to stand for the seat of Dobell (on New South Wales’ Central Coast) and that’s what she wanted to do, and she just wanted to fight for this country,” Hanson said.
Sky News host Andrew Bolt also paid tribute to McQueen, who had appeared regularly as a contributor since 2017.
After saying he had hoped she would appear on Thursday’s program, he said: “Teena is one of those people who seemed truly alive, she had guts”.
“She was a Federal Liberal vice president. She fought like stink for the party and would defend it even on the ABC when I know, well she told me, she was scared of the mockery and abuse (she would) get and boy did they pour it on her.
“I wish more people had that, to the degree that she did, and then she showed even more guts by saying, well enough, the Liberals had betrayed the Conservative cause and she was off to One Nation where in fact she planned to run for Parliament at the next election.”
In May, McQueen explained her reasons for joining One Nation, saying she had considered the move for 18 months, believing the Liberals no longer reflected her values.
“I’m not saying it’s not tough… it wasn’t an easy decision, but I feel it’s the right one for myself and for One Nation,” she said.
Image: Sky News
