Pauline Hanson responds to controversy over Al Jazeera documentary

Pauline Hanson has finally fronted the cameras to respond to the Al Jazeera documentary that left her party embroiled in scandal.

A defiant Pauline Hanson has responded to the undercover Al Jazeera documentary that left her party embroiled in scandal, saying One Nation staffers James Ashby and Steve Dickson were “stitched up” by a “foreign agent”.

Senator Hanson unleashed on the Australian media, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Al Jazeera, Qatar and undercover journalist Rodger Muller during an extraordinary press conference in Queensland.

“Today is the day of shame on the Australian media, who have been sold a story that is too good to be true. And you took it hook, line and sinker,” she said.

“Media across Australia have been blinded by hate and bias towards One Nation and myself, and rushed to report on heavily edited footage.

“You have come here baying for my blood, and I will not give it to you. I answer to the Australian people only and they will have their say at the ballot box.”

Ms Hanson said the comments captured on camera by Al Jazeera had been taken “completely out of context”.

She labelled Muller, an Australian journalist who conducted the three-year undercover investigation for Al Jazeera, a “foreign agent”. She called Al Jazeera an “Islamist” organisation. And she claimed the Qatari government was involved.

“This is Australia’s first case of severe political interference from a foreign government,” Ms Hanson said.

“Qatar is a government that enforces sharia law, public floggings, genital mutilation and suppression of women.

“This is a political attack by Al Jazeera, in co-operation with the ABC.”

The ABC will air part two of Al Jazeera’s documentary How To Sell A Massacre tonight. Ms Hanson said the national broadcaster should ditch it.

“If the ABC had any ethical bone in their body, they would refuse to put this unethical and unfair behaviour to air,” she said.

“The question must be asked, how much involvement did the ABC have in this illegal, covert operation? How much money has the ABC paid, using taxpayer dollars, to organisations affiliated with the Qatari, Islamist government?”

Ms Hanson singled out the new ABC chair Ita Buttrose, asking whether she truly believed the documentary should be aired before a “full investigation” by the Australian Federal Police.

One Nation referred the matter to the AFP and ASIO earlier this week.

The ABC told news.com.au the documentary was “created, commissioned and produced” by Al Jazeera.

“Al Jazeera approached the ABC about the documentary and we acquired the broadcast rights according to our usual procedures,” an ABC spokeswoman said.

“The ABC assesses all content on its merits, ensuring it is consistent with ABC editorial policies, including recognised standards of accuracy, integrity, impartiality and fair and honest dealing.

“The matters covered in the Al Jazeera program, including Australia’s gun control laws, are of national public interest.

“The ABC judged it was clearly in the public interest that Australians had the opportunity to see this material for themselves.

“The reaction of the Australian public to these revelations has supported that decision.”

News.com.au has also approached Al Jazeera for comment.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

There has been speculation about the futures of Mr Ashby and Mr Dickson, the central figures in the documentary, who fronted the media themselves on Tuesday afternoon.

Ms Hanson said she had “no problem sacking people”, but Mr Ashby would remain as her chief of staff and Mr Dickson would stay on One Nation’s Senate ticket in Queensland.

“He’s made some stupid remarks, as we all have, but I worked so closely with this man for years to know his integrity is unquestionable,” she said of Mr Ashby.

She said Mr Dickson had made some “inappropriate remarks”, but he deserved a second chance.

“When I first saw the initial hit piece and Steve Dickson’s comments, I was disgusted. But having watched my own comments, knowing how out of context they were portrayed to the Australian people, I knew he was stitched up,” she said.

“I acknowledge Steve made some inappropriate comments, however, let’s not forget he was set up. It was a ploy to destroy One Nation heading into the election.

“Steve has admitted and understands what he said wasn't the right thing, but he was taken out of context, and a victim of entrapment.”

She said the pair were not in the United States to learn how to weaken Australia’s gun laws, and her approval of their trip was to “learn campaigning techniques, meet with other electoral officials and learn about the power and economy of the US”.

Ms Hanson said she, Mr Ashby and Mr Dickson had all told Muller “we weren’t changing the laws in Australia”.

She said One Nation would “never” accept foreign donations.

Ms Hanson also addressed the undercover footage which showed her appearing to suggest the 1996 Port Arthur Massacre was a government conspiracy.

RELATED: Hanson casts doubt on Port Arthur Massacre

She said the comments were “obviously heavily edited and do not reflect how I feel about those tragedies”.

“There is no question in my mind that Martin Bryant was the only person responsible,” she said.

“My belief stands today that he should have faced the death penalty.”

Finally, Ms Hanson blasted Scott Morrison’s announcement earlier today that the Liberals would preference One Nation below Labor at the election.

“You have just handed the keys to The Lodge to Bill Shorten, Di Natale and the CFMEU. You’re a fool,” she said.

Pauline Hanson, flanked by James Ashby (left) and Steve Dickson. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Speaking earlier, Mr Morrison said the footage of Ms Hanson speaking about Port Arthur, along with One Nation’s reaction to the documentary, had convinced him to make that decision.

The Prime Minister had already ruled out a preference deal with One Nation last week, but repeatedly refused to offer a decisive opinion on whether the minor party should be preferenced last, or at least below Labor and the Greens.

He said it was a choice for the Liberal Party’s state divisions to make when nominations for the election had closed.

Speaking this morning, Mr Morrison revealed he had brought forward that decision.

RELATED: PM commits to preference One Nation behind Labor

He said he had been in touch directly with the party organisation and recommended that One Nation be preferenced below Labor.

“My recommendation to them, which they are accepting, is that One Nation will be put below the Labor Party at the next election,” he said.

Mr Morrison said it was a decision he had “not come to lightly”, and he had based it on his “strong view about the sanctity of Australia’s gun laws”.

“I have left it for a few days to see what the response of the One Nation leadership would be and sadly, I’m disappointed, and I find the response of those One Nation officials unsatisfactory,” he said.

“There have been further revelations overnight also, which have led me to the position this morning.

“The comments particularly last night and the linkages to Port Arthur, I was shocked by them.

“These gun laws have kept Australia safe for 20 years and have led the world. They are one of the Liberal Party’s proudest achievements.”

His decision only applies to the Liberals — not the Nationals, who will reach their own conclusion on preferences.

It also doesn’t apply to Nationals MPs from the LNP in Queensland.

“I haven’t rushed into this decision, in the same way that John Howard, who I have been consulting with closely on this matter, did not rush into this decision when he took it 20 years ago. I have followed a similar, considered process,” Mr Morrison said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP