Sarah Game steps up her criticism of One Nation claiming it has a “racism stigma” after her resignation from the party

A former One Nation star has escalated her attack on the party after a dramatic weekend resignation.

One Nation MLC Sarah Game (left) with party leader Pauline Hanson at Colonel Light's Lookout. Picture: Supplied

Pauline Hanson’s chief of staff is calling out Sarah Game after her shock resignation from One Nation, calling her criticism of the party’s brand as “delusional nonsense”.

One Nation chief of staff James Ashby was damning over Ms Game claiming to The Advertiser that she was thwarted in her role in the state’s upper house by the “party brand” that included not being “able to shed that racism stigma”.

She claimed some organisations refused to work on her men’s health, veterans and disadvantaged children projects over the One Nation brand led by Pauline Hanson.

And Ms Game, 42, blamed the party “brand” hampering her work for her dramatic resignation from the party over the weekend.

“It hasn’t been able to shed that racism stigma and I don’t think it’s possible,” she said.

Mr Ashby slammed the slur saying it was a “weak story” when Ms Game’s resignation came after her mother Jennifer Game, 72, was not preselected for a key party spot.

He called on Ms Game to “admit she threw a tantrum” over her mother recently failing to win a new state preselection battle rather than lashing out at the party.

Jennifer Game, One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson and Upper House MP Sarah Game. Picture: Facebook

“Of course we’re extremely disappointed as a party. I’d much prefer Sarah admit she threw a tantrum because her mother wasn’t preselected in the upcoming state election than see her fabricate this weak story that very few believe,” Mr Ashby said.

“It only undermines the intelligence of the people of South Australia and discredits Sarah who I’ve previously held in high regard.”

Her resignation followed former Greens co-leader Tammy Franks leaving her party.

The rise of Ms Game’s profile in SA stems back to her being handed the eight-year seat in the upper house during the 2022 state election.

Her mother, Jennifer Game, was the original candidate but this switched to Sarah Game before election day when her mother decided to instead contest a federal senate seat.

Mr Ashby claimed Ms Game was now making unfair accusations.

He said that Pauline Hanson and One Nation had “led the way in federal parliament around supporting men”, particularly in family law matters and its impact on men’s mental wellbeing.

“The party’s support for veterans dates back to 1996 when Pauline was first elected to parliament, and our advocacy for disadvantaged children is well documented on Hansard before the election of any state members,” he said.

“Sarah’s defection has only made One Nation volunteers and members more determined ahead of next year’s state election.

“This is Sarah and her mother’s loss. One Nation is not deterred, only more driven to push forward with policies and a team that will represent the needs of SA.”

Ms Game said One Nation SA president Carlos Quaremba would be a number one on the state upper house ticket.

“There have been too many missed opportunities for South Australians as a result of the refusal of various groups to publicly be associated with One Nation,” she said.

“James is not in SA and is not in a position to comment on those missed opportunities.

“I have always had a good relationship with James and Pauline and am sorry to see it deteriorate but I do believe this decision will remove barriers and ultimately allow me to achieve more in my remaining time for South Australians.”

Ms Hanson was unavailable for comment.