Pauline Hanson’s One Nation reveals candidates to run in next Queensland state election

A US-BORN Donald Trump supporter with a PhD is just one of 36 people about to change the public face of One Nation, as the party launches its campaign to storm back into the State Parliament.

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A US-born Donald Trump supporter with a PhD in rural health is about to change the public face of One Nation as Pauline Hanson today launches her campaign to storm back into the Queensland Parliament.

Jane Truscott, One Nation Candidate for the seat of Bundaberg, is one of the stars among the 36 candidates to be announced in Brisbane this morning.

Dr Truscott, a trained nurse with a PhD focused on rural social and welfare issues, is also chair of the Rural Locum Assistance Program which oversees more than $70 million of government spending on regional workforce issues.

Jane Truscott running for the seat of Bundaberg. Picture: Paul Beutel

With one more year of study before she completes a law degree, the woman who grew up in America’s Rocky Mountains and now calls Gooburrum, outside Bundaberg, home is part of a concerted push by One Nation to appeal to Queensland’s middle-class voter.

Dr Truscott told The Sunday Mail in an interview this week she had lived in Australia for 13 years and taken out citizenship soon after arrival.

“I love this country and the Australian way of life,’’ she said.

She also admires US president-elect Donald Trump, whom she believes has sparked a worldwide nationalist movement that “challenges the status quo’’.

“While some of what he has said and done is considered socially inappropriate, he has nonetheless provided a political force which gives the American people a voice,’’ she said.

“Many say the silent majority, the disaffected voters, can now be heard. Populist and nationalist politics, such as that of Donald Trump, brings a level of patriotism and pride which is clearly being manifested in Queensland.’’

With Labor incumbent Leanne Donaldson struggling over revelations about her financial affairs, the seat is one of several that are likely to fall to One Nation in the election, expected next year.

Labor’s Nita Cunningham held Bundaberg in the 1998 election that launched 11 One Nation MPs into the Queensland Parliament after the party secured more than 22 per cent of the vote across the state. The area south of Bundaberg has recorded strong One Nation support, with Maryborough secured by the party’s John Kingston in 1988.

Damien Huxham, who works as a plant operator in Queensland mines and who polled strongly as a One Nation candidate in Bundaberg-based Hinkler in the last federal election, will contest the neighbouring seat of Wide Bay.

One Nation has focused its campaign almost exclusively on the regions, with 36 candidates contesting seats from Cairns in the north to Currumbin in the south.

SPOILING FOR A FIGHT

THE ONE NATION CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE NEXT QUEENSLAND ELECTION

Andrew Liddel: Mudgeeraba

Andy Semple is running in Currumbin.

Andy Semple: Currumbin

Ashley Lynch: Burnett

Bradley Trussell:
Ipswich West

Brenden Ball: Broadwater

Chelle Dobson: Gympie

Damian Huxham: Hervey Bay

Damien Emery: Pumicestone

Darrell Lane: Albert

Diane Happ: Mermaid Beach

Elise Cottam: Callide

Ian Hodge: Cairns

Ian Hodge is the One Nation candidate for Cairns.

James Hansen: Maryborough

Jane Truscott: Bundaberg

Jim Savage: Lockyer

John Cox: Redcliffe

Karen Haddock: Kallangur

Lynette Keehn: Condamine

Mark Higgens: Gregory

Matt Loth: Keppel

Neil Symes: Mansfield

One Nation Candidate Tracey Bell-Henselin will run in the seat of Glass House.

Peter Rogers: Mulgrave

Peter Warren:
Pine Rivers

Red Jones: Caloundra

Rod Smith: Beaudesert

Rodney Hansen: Morayfield

Ronald Pigdon: Coomera

Scott Dare: Murrumba

Shan Ju Lin: Bundamba

Sharon Lohse: Warrego

Stephen Andrew: Mirani

Steven Ford: Nicklin

Suzanne Black: Lytton

Tracey Bell Henselin: Glasshouse

Tracey Brown: Bulimba

Troy Aggett: Ipswich