Why I think Pauline is just what we need

Pauline Hanson’s return to the political stage will mean others will find their own voice, writes David Oldfield. Those who have long been silenced will be able to speak their minds.

Pauline herself would say, “I’m baaaack”, and be assured, she is, and this time she’ll very likely be of more consequence and influence than ever before. (Pic: Nick Andrean)

The first difference of opinion I had with Pauline Hanson was over the incorporation of her name in the Political Party we were about to form. It happened in a discreet location in Manly in January 1997 — humble Pauline didn’t want the party named after her.

Fortunately, I managed to convince her the name “Pauline Hanson’s One Nation” as opposed to simply “One Nation” was the clearest way to have voters find the party’s candidates. Also, I told her, people would cast their votes as if they were voting for Pauline herself, rather than candidates whose names meant nothing to them.

That seemingly simple yet extraordinarily important decision not only made it easy to identify One Nation on ballot papers in the beginning, but Pauline re-adopting the original party name of “Pauline Hanson’s One Nation” for this last election has helped resurrect the party’s support.

Pauline herself would say, “I’m baaaack”, and be assured, she is, and this time she’ll very likely be of more consequence and influence than ever before. There is a strong likelihood other One Nation candidates will also be elected to the Senate and hence this time, she will not be alone in the Parliament.

Pauline Hanson with adviser David Oldfield during a radio talkback session in 1997. (Pic: Supplied)

Pauline is almost unique in Australian politics because people are so clearly divided on her — not just like or dislike, but fierce love and loyalty or violent, burning hatred. One isn’t ever left guessing how people feel about Pauline Hanson.

She’s a woman who has been through a lot — she pretty much ticks all the boxes in a great gamut of experiences: wife, divorcee, single mother, businesswoman, victim of injustice. In the case of politics, she has been a target for those opposed to freedom of speech as well as having her life and the lives of her family threatened by violent fanatics. She spent most of her parliamentary career surrounded by armed special protection agents of the federal police.

Pauline will be ecstatic about her re-election, but she’ll also still be angry, and she has a right to be angry. It shouldn’t be forgotten that although ultimately cleared, she was jailed under highly questionable circumstances and considered by some to be Australia’s only ever political prisoner. How she directs the energy of her anger will ultimately determine her type and level of success.

She has seen and felt many things and been greatly hurt along the way, but she keeps getting up and therein lies a good deal of her appeal — she says what she thinks, is never frightened off and doesn’t back away from what she believes. It’s not something voters are used to seeing in politicians.

Pauline has faced more hatred, misogyny, sexism and downright violence than anything Julia Gillard has ever experienced, yet none of those who jumped up and down screaming in support of former PM Gillard ever so much as uttered a word for Pauline. Rather, many joined the attack on her and are lining up to do so again.

While her views aren’t complicated, understanding Pauline and her appeal is complex. She knows what she likes and doesn’t like, though at times the reasoning isn’t entirely clear. She speaks for people who feel strongly about things without necessarily being able to explain why, or even wanting to explain why.

Pauline will be ecstatic about her re-election, but she’ll also still be angry, and she has a right to be angry. (Pictured in 1998, with David Oldfield in the background)

Pauline doesn’t over-think things or consider issues through to any kind of natural conclusion. She doesn’t speak with the thought in her head that what she’s saying will be used against her. She just says what she thinks, just as a lot of people do when among friends. Except of course she is a highly-quoted public figure — it’s just that she’s never acted like one.

Her return to the political stage will mean others will find their own voice, others will be inclined to feel safer and able to speak their mind. Many who feel they’ve been silenced will find the courage to join her and speak out loudly by her side.

I’ve seen Pauline cry, smile, be happy and sad. I’ve seen her apparently inconsolable and very seriously on the edge. But when she’s laughing it’s infectious for those around her. Yes, she’s highly emotional and that also differentiates her — it helps explain why, 18 years on from when she left Parliament, she’s not just still here, she’s back with a vengeance.

For people who genuinely support freedom of speech, Pauline’s re-election is overwhelmingly positive, but for the politically correct and those wanting certain things never to be said in public, Pauline Hanson is their nemesis.

Depending on the final vote for the Senate in Queensland, Pauline may be one of the senators who gets a six-year term. So my advice to those opposing her: Buckle up, you may be in for a long ride.

David Oldfield is a retired parliamentarian, radio host, co-founder of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and former principal advisor to Pauline Hanson and One Nation.