Queensland election 2017: Palaszczuk seizes on One Nation chaos

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk will use the shock resignation of a One Nation senator to mount a fight back against the resurgence of the rogue right-wing party in Queensland.

Annastacia Palaszczuk says a vote for Pauline Hanson will result in chaos for Queensland.

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ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk will use the shock resignation of a One Nation senator to mount a fight back against the resurgence of the rogue right-wing party in Queensland and resurrect her battered election campaign.

Queensland Senator Fraser Anning — who received just 19 primary votes — was sworn into the Senate as a One Nation member yesterday morning, but within an hour he had parted from the party.

The Premier immediately seized on the chaos in Canberra, warning of the same instability in Queensland if the LNP won government with the help of One Nation.

Ms Palaszczuk reminded voters of the ructions that beset the far-right party when it first burst on to Queensland’s political scene at the 1998 election, winning a surprise 11 seats before things fell apart.

“This is what we saw previously and it could all happen again,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“If you want chaos, vote for One Nation and Tim Nicholls. If you want stability, you are looking at it.”

Labor Senator Murray Watt said it was history repeating itself.

“Every time One Nation members are elected to Parliament, whether it be the Queensland Parliament or here in Canberra they end up walking out causing chaos and wreckage on their way out,” he said.

But One Nation matriarch Pauline Hanson insisted Senator Anning’s defection was no reflection on her party’s state campaign.

“I have faith in our vetting process, but unfortunate circumstances like this are not reserved to minor parties, they continue to plague Labor and the LNP also,” she told The Courier-Mail.

“Mr Anning’s decision to abandon One Nation after being sworn in today is disappointing, but we’re all too aware that advisers with their own agenda can sometimes lead inexperienced and newly elected politicians astray.”

One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson in the federal chamber on Monday. Picture: Gary Ramage

One Nation pointed to the defections and dumping of Labor MPs Rob Pyne, Billy Gordon and Rick Williams as proof such issues also affected the major parties.

There is dispute over the circumstances of Senator Anning leaving One Nation with Ms Hanson and NSW Senator Brian Burston saying he quit to go independent, while Senator Anning says he was forced out.

Senator Anning said he and Ms Hanson had been friends for 20 years.

“I ran for One Nation in ’98 and my wife and I considered Pauline a close friend, but that all went to hell in a handbasket this morning,’’ he said.

“When I walked into this meeting this morning I was very rudely told that none of my staff were to walk in here.’’

Senator Fraser Anning says his friendship with fellow Senator Pauline Hanson has gone to “hell in a handbasket”. Picture: Gary Ramage

He said a dispute over staff had triggered a rift between the pair. Senator Anning is the second One Nation senator to split from its ranks since the party was swept to power in 2016.

Former senator Rod Culleton, shortly before the High Court declared he was invalidly elected, quit One Nation in December after a bitter dispute.

Senator Anning was third on the One Nation senate ticket in 2016 and became the new Senator after a special recount caused by former Senator Malcolm Robert’s election being declared void due to the citizenship scandal. One Nation Senator Fraser Anning was sworn in yesterday, but was escorted into the chamber by Senators Cory Bernardi and David Leyonhjelm, rather than his party colleagues as tradition dictates.

Within an hour Senator Hanson issued a statement saying Senator Anning had quit the party to run as an independent.

“I was disappointed Mr Anning made no attempt to contact me or any One Nation executive member off the back of multiple requests to discuss his future plans,” she said. Senator Anning released his own statement disputing this, and said he was expelled from the party via press release.

“As soon as I got into the room, I was verbally attacked. This was profoundly shocking to me as I had been a friend and supporter of Pauline for over twenty years,” he said.

Senator Burston said he and colleague Peter Georgio attempted to speak to Senator Anning about 9.10am following the heated argument, but was told he intended to run as an independent “until something better comes along”. This claim is disputed by Senator Anning.

While it is disputed whether he quit or was kicked out, both sides agree the dispute is related to his choice of staff.

Many of Senator Anning’s staff worked for former One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts, and Senator Hanson has accused them of disloyalty.

There have also been suggestions One Nation wanted him to resign to allow for Senator Roberts return.

Meanwhile, LNP leader Tim Nicholls was again forced to bat away questions yesterday as to whether he would need One Nation to form government following the election.

With the resurgent right-wing party set to play the role of kingmaker following the November 25 poll, Mr Nicholls refused to even be drawn on whether One Nation voters should be respected.

“We are focused on delivering a majority government and the LNP is the only party that will be able to deliver a majority government to deliver the change Queenslanders want whether they’re on the Gold Coast or the Cape,” he said.

His comments come as rogue Labor backbencher Jo-Ann Miller last night said One Nation must be respected politically, despite Annastacia Palaszczuk continuing to rubbish the party and preferencing them last.

When asked about Ms Miller’s comments, Mr Nicholls stopped short of saying he thinks One Nation should be respected.

editorial, Paul Williams p20

Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Palaszczuk seizes on One Nation chaos