Pauline Hanson’s big One Nation change amid Joyce rumours
Source: Seven Network
Hanson said on Monday she’d officially change Pauline Hanson’s One Nation to One Nation – as it is already commonly called.
“The rebranding reinforces One Nation’s commitment to restoring trust in politics, protecting Australian values, and continuing the fight for everyday Australians across every state and territory,” the party said.
“With this announcement, Senator Pauline Hanson is once again reminding the country that One Nation stands stronger than ever: One voice, one people, one nation.”
It came as polling for the right-wing party founded by Hanson in 1997 has surged since the federal election in May, and amid rampant speculation that Joyce is about to jump on board – potentially to take over from Hanson as leader.
He has said he won’t stand again for the Nationals in his electorate of New England because of an ideological overlap that includes his rejection of a net-zero emissions reduction target.
“My position is against net zero. I don’t want to be part of a discussion of an amelioration of net zero. My position is no,” he told Sky News on Monday.
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Joyce is zealously campaigning for Nationals to abandon their net-zero emissions commitment as their review of the target continues.
Also on Monday, Joyce ruled out representing New England as an independent. As MPs returned to Canberra for the parliamentary fortnight, he said he wouldn’t sit with his Nationals colleagues in their party room, although he will continue to sit with them in parliament.
However, asked if he expected to speak with Hanson while both were in Canberra, he was cagey.
“I’ve met with Pauline Hanson before. I mean this is – it’s a free country. You’re allowed to actually meet other people,” he said.
“I talk to people from the Greens … I actually do talk to other people away from my own party.”
Joyce said last week he’d spoken to Hanson after dropping his statement to Nationals membership about his soured relationship with party leader David Littleproud and his decision not to stand again for the party was leaked. But he said nothing was locked in.
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“I’m not a member of One Nation, I have not asked for a membership form,” Joyce said in Tamworth last Tuesday.
“It’s been a pretty traumatic issue. I’m still basically a member of the National Party.”
Hanson said she respected Joyce but said rumours he would succeed her as leader when she stepped down as an “absolute joke”.
“I haven’t got a foot in the grave yet,” the 71-year-old Queensland senator told Sky News last Tuesday.
“I respect Barnaby and he has been deputy prime minister, but I also believe people have to earn their stripes.”
One Nation has four senate seats but has never had a lower house seat.
Recent polling has its primary support as high as 14 per cent – nearly twice the backing it had at the federal election in May.
Hanson told Sky News her supporters would welcome Joyce, although there was concern about rumours he would become the leader of One Nation.
“The decision I’ve made, the offer to Barnaby … I know he’s disgruntled with the National Party, I know he’s passionate about getting rid of net zero,” she said.
“I’m telling you, the Nats are being dragged along with this because they know they are in dire straits with Barnaby considering walking.”
The Liberals are conducting a separate review into energy and environmental policy.
-with AAP
