Pauline Hanson The Comeback Queen
Pauline Hanson, the woman whom for decades has been the subject of much scrutiny and criticism. Infamous for stating prophetic and controversial truths, she has been a voice crying in the wilderness for ages.
A former fish and chip shop owner from QLD’s Ipswich. A small town about 40-45 minute drive West of Brisbane, home to RAAF Base Amberley, Australia’s largest air-force base and largest employer of the town. Formerly renowned for being a mining town and home to a growing number of surprisingly young Australian-born, working-class families. Pauline is the epitome of the ordinary Australian.
Her political career started in 1994 when she was elected councilor for Ipswich. This was followed by a series of dramatic incidences concerning hurtful words as a member of the Liberal party, eventuating in a dis-endorsement and the birth of One Nation (ON) in 1997. As the first leader of the ON party, she lost her seat at the 1998 federal election, unsuccessfully contested the Senate in 2001 and was expelled from One Nation 2002 due to internal disputes. Her conviction for electoral fraud in 2003 sentenced her to three years in prison for which she served 11 weeks before the Queensland Court of Appeal overturned the conviction and set her free. After further unsuccessful attempts in several elections, running under other political parties in 2007, she finally rejoined One Nation in 2013 and was made leader again in 2014.
Her time in the Senate from 2016 has involved stunts wearing a burqa and speeches highlighting the multiple issues for Australians. Over the years, she has become an icon for daring to say and do things that others won’t, leaving many unsure of whether to love her or hate her.
In recent times, methinks the people have decided it better to love her as she seems to be the only “choice” available. Their overwhelming success in the Farrer By-Election on May 9, 2026 was record-breaking seeing the demise of a 70 year Liberal/National strangle-hold of the seat. This tells me that the Liberal/National coalition is doing exactly as it planned.
More and more are voting for One Nation. Since so many are making a comeback, would former members like Fraser Anning join ON? That will be interesting. Anyway, it couldn’t get much worse in the Circus, but I have said that before and it has gotten significantly worse.
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