Migration key issue as Pauline Hanson taps Craig Kelly to lead One Nation’s federal election effort

Migration will be a key issue for former Liberal MP Craig Kelly, as he joins Pauline Hanson’s One Nation as federal campaign director in anticipation of a possible early election later this year.

Exclusive: Former Liberal MP Craig Kelly will give up his role as director of the United Australia Party to join Pauline Hanson’s One Nation as federal campaign director “effective immediately” in anticipation of a possible early election later this year.

Mr Kelly said the party was planning to focus on immigration and how large numbers of arrivals were driving up the cost of living, as well as increasing defence spending, cutting taxes, and helping people fight the cost of living.

“Immigration is a huge issue here in western Sydney, rents in Sydney since Anthony Albanese came to power have gone up by over 30 per cent,” Mr Kelly said.

Bringing back temporary protection visas, improving border security, and “bolstering” defence budgets to ensure the country has “advanced capabilities going into the future” will all be on the agenda at the next election.

“Taxation and the cost of living also have to be addressed, giving people more money in their back pocket,” he said.

Craig Kelly has been tapped to be Pauline Hanson’s federal campaign director. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

It is understood Mr Kelly’s role will have both inward and outward facing roles, including fielding candidates, raising funds and making public appearances.

The move comes amid speculation that Mr Kelly was planning to take a role in the minor party’s NSW division with an eye towards contesting a seat in the upper house.

Senator Pauline Hanson during Question Time in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said that the party expected to run “a full suite of candidates across the country” at the next election, which she said was “a big job that requires experience.”

“One Nation is the only party that has had an effect on immigration,” she said, saying that their “badgering” the Coalition under Scott Morrison made the Liberals change tack on migrant numbers.

Ms Hanson said the party was also going to look at “foreign ownership of our land and our housing,” and said One Nation would oppose “net zero” commitments which had hurt “manufacturing, industry, and household budgets” with higher energy costs.

“We know there is a likelihood of an early election, he will be working with federal candidates across the country, is a former politician himself and he is knowledgeable about the issues that people want to hear about,” Ms Hanson said.

Mr Kelly “has a lot of respect from the people, he stood strongly against Covid jabs and mandates, and he believes in what is best for his country,” she said.