Pauline Hanson on why boxing, beers and Birdsville is the ‘real’ Australia

ONE Nation Leader Pauline Hanson has taken the low budget option of camping under the stars in a swag at the annual Birdsville races in Queensland.

ONE Nation leader Pauline Hanson says the rural town of Birdsville — and all that comes with it — is the “real” Australia.

Ms Hanson, who arrived in the remote Queensland town for the annual race meet on Thursday night, says the beer, boxing and blokes is what she loves about the historic event.

“Everyone comes here to Birdsville races,” Ms Hanson told news.com.au from her swag.

“It’s real ‘Aussie Aussie’ here. No political correctness, everyone is friendly it’s a great time.”

Dressed in a yellow jersey and jeans for the Friday meet, Ms Hanson’s first stop on arrival was a visit to the world famous “Fred Brophy Boxing Tent”.

“It was packed … you get men and women … everyone enjoys it,” she said.

“Everyone is the same out here, and that’s what I love. This is Oz. This is Australia.”

Pauline Hanson slept under the wings of the two-seater plane she arrived in. She’s wearing a jersey because it’s ‘Jersey Day’ for organ donation. Picture: Lulu Freedman

The travelling troupe, which is the only one still in existence in the world, draws crowds of thousands from across the country into the boxing ring.

Despite Ms Hanson’s approval of the sport, the troupe is illegal in all states except Queensland and the Northern Territory.

“The fighting isn’t aggressive,” she said.

“You’ve got guys in there who want to see how good they are and how fit they are.

“You get some women in there, and I don’t like to see the women fight … they don’t go in there to give them a hard time. It’s just having a bit of a go around the ring.

“You’ve got to enjoy it for what it is. The whole tent was packed last night … this is what Aussies enjoy. And if they didn’t they wouldn’t go there and support it.”

Just two weeks ago, Ms Hanson triggered a firestorm when she entered the Senate dressed in a Burqa shortly after question time began.

Ms Hanson said while the stunt was “extreme”, she wanted to make a point about “national security”.

“Most Australian’s don’t want the burqa,” she told media following the event.

“We have to be logical about it and listen to the Australian people. It stops social cohesion and we have to address it.”

Ms Hanson will attend the first meet of the Birdsville races on Friday, which will draw more than 6000 people to the remote town.

The racing meet will conclude on Saturday.