Pauline Hanson joins Channel 7’s SAS Australia

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has signed up to appear on next year’s season of Channel 7’s SAS Australia.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who sparked outrage after she wore burqa during question time, is set to be shipped to the Middle East as she turns to reality TV and Channel 7’s SAS Australia to revive her political fortunes.

She’s survived jail, Dancing with the Stars and even her original Svengali David Oldfield, but Senator Hanson could be heading to the small screen again.

The former fish and chip shop owner, who coined the phrase “please explain”, could claim up to six figures to appear on the program, but hasn’t yet revealed what, if anything, she is getting paid.

Senator Hanson could expect a lump-sum payment that could be as high as six figures — a daily fee of around $2500, and a bonus of between $1000 and $5000 every three days.

SAS Australia is generally shot over 14 days with a 13-episode run, plus a reunion episode.

“The new season will be filmed in the Middle East, so it will definitely take Pauline out of her comfort zone,” a Seven insider told Daily Mail Australia.

Want to stream your news? Flash lets you stream 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer available for a limited time only >

Senator Pauline Hanson has signed up to appear on next year’s season of Channel 7’s SAS Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Pauline Hanson with actor dancer Mark Hodge on Dancing with the Stars in 2004.

Pauline Hanson’s burqa stunt

Just five years ago, the veteran senator dramatically ripped off a black veil in Parliament, declaring: “I’m quite happy to remove this because it’s not what should belong in this Parliament.

“In light of what is happening with national security… will you work to ban the burqa?’’ she said.

The stunt prompted a furious response from then attorney-general George Brandis.

“Senator Hanson, no, we will not be banning the burqa,” he said.

“To ridicule that community, to drive it into a corner, to mock its religious garments is an appalling thing to do.”

In a Facebook post, Senator Hanson said: “I have long believed that full face coverings, such as the burqa, were oppressive, presented barriers to assimilation, disadvantaged women from finding employment, were causing issues inside our justice system, presented a clear security threat and has no place in modern Western society.”

Senator Hanson in a black burqa in the Senate in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

Senator’s reality TV payday?

While it’s not clear how much Senator Hanson will be paid to appear in SAS Australia, it has paid previous contestants big bucks.

According to a report in The Daily Telegraph last year Sam Burgess was paid six figures to appear on the program and took home somewhere between $150,000 and $200,000.

Former tennis player Mark Philippoussis took home $100k while former athlete Jana Pittman got $50-70k

Former Labor MP Emma Husar got just $25,000 to appear on the program.

Former tennis player Mark Philippoussis took home $100k. Picture: Channel 7

Former Labor MP Emma Husar got just $25,000 to appear on the program. Picture: Jeremy Greive

Pauline Hanson’s defamation battle

The veteran MP could find the money handy as she fights a defamation battle against a former MP who a court heard once told his own staffer that she just needed “a good f**k.”

Senator Hanson is challenging a court’s decision ordering her to pay $250,000 for defaming former One Nation senator Brian Burston.

The case centred on the Senator falsely claiming Mr Burston assaulted her chief of staff James Ashby without provocation in Parliament and had sexually abused a female colleague.

“I find that both (imputations) were seriously damaging to Mr Burston’s reputation, being broadcast on a nationally broadcast television program watched by over 290,000 people at the time. They were both false,” the judge said.

Senator Hanson is challenging a court’s decision ordering her to pay $250,000 for defaming Brian Burston. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

However, the judge also found Burston sexually harassed staff in his office and brought the senate into disrepute through his shocking behaviour, including telling a staffer Wendy Leach, “Oh Wendy, you probably just need a good f**k”.

During the trial, the court heard that Mr Burston offered to console Ms Leach with the best sex of her life.

Ms Leach rejected his offer as “just filthy” and also told the court that Mr Burston employed a cleaner because “she was hot.”

Originally published as Pauline Hanson joins Channel 7’s SAS Australia