Pauline Hanson gets Trump inauguration tickets

ONE Nation Senator Pauline Hanson says she is “honoured” to have been sent tickets to Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

Senator Pauline Hanson. Photographer: Liam Kidston

ONE Nation Senator Pauline Hanson says she won’t be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Friday due to work commitments in Australia.

NSW One Nation Senator Brian Burston will go in her place.

Ms Hanson, who wrote to Mr Trump in December to congratulate him on his election win, told news.com.au the tickets “came through the grapevine”.

“I thought about it for a minute, it would be a fantastic opportunity, but I’ve got too much happening in Australia,” she said.

“I think everyone knows my support for Donald Trump, I was so pleased to see him win, but I think my responsibility is here first and foremost, I’ve always said that.

“In light of what’s happening in WA, and Queensland elections at any time, I’ve got candidates relying on me. The cane growers in Queensland, they’re getting no satisfaction from Barnaby Joyce, we’ve got farmers’ land [being compulsorily acquired] for Singapore.

“It’s more important for me to be in Australia. I really want to have a big impact.”

Ms Hanson said she did not have any immediate plans to travel to the US.

On Facebook, One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts said it was initially planned that he attend the inauguration “as a guest of the US government”, but due to hernia would be unable.

“Senator Brian Burston will now proudly represent Pauline Hanson’s One Nation at the historic event,” he wrote.

The invitation extended to One Nation is a break from tradition as previously foreign delegations, barring the official representatives, have not been invited.

“The US State Department has advised that as in the past, foreign delegations will not be invited to Washington for the President-elect Trump’s 2017 inauguration and that heads of state and governments will be represented by chiefs of diplomatic missions in Washington,” a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman told News Corp Australia last week.

“Ambassador Joe Hockey will attend this event.”

On Monday, Ms Hanson revealed the invitation on Twitter. “Would you believe it? I have been gifted tickets to the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony of @realDonaldTrump — What an honour! #auspol” she tweeted.

In a follow-up tweet she wrote: “Because of my duties to the people of Queensland & Australia I’m still deciding if I can attend the inauguration of @realDonaldTrump #auspol”

Last week, far right French politician Marine Le Pen caused a stir when she was spotted at Trump Tower in New York, but a spokesman for the President-elect said the National Front leader did not meet with Mr Trump.

[e-mail]

Because of work commitments I'll not be attending Donald Trump's inauguration. My duties to the people of Queensland & Australia come first.

— Pauline Hanson (@PaulineHansonOz) January 16, 2017

It was only a few months ago I stood outside Parliament with @SenatorMRoberts & celebrated Donald Trump's victory.https://t.co/KuuUAP0K47

— Pauline Hanson (@PaulineHansonOz) January 16, 2017

Because of my duties to the people of Queensland & Australia I'm still deciding if I can attend the inauguration of @realDonaldTrump #auspol

— Pauline Hanson (@PaulineHansonOz) January 15, 2017

Would you believe it? I have been gifted tickets to the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony of @realDonaldTrump - What an honour! #auspol

— Pauline Hanson (@PaulineHansonOz) January 15, 2017