Pauline Hanson crashes Bill Shorten’s radio interview

BILL Shorten has had his first conversation with elected senator Pauline Hanson, with about 600,000 people listening.

BILL Shorten has had his first conversation with soon to be installed One Nation senator Pauline Hanson, with about 600,000 people listening in to the entire awkward exchange.

Speaking from his Melbourne home, the Labor leader had phoned in for a radio interview with Kiis FM’s Sophie Monk and Matty Acton.

Revelling in his surprise success at the weekend’s yet to be resolved election, Mr Shorten began the interview as an enthusiastic guest, keenly thanking listeners who had voted for his “positive policies” and having a few cracks at Malcolm Turnbull along the way.

Minutes into the interview, the mood shifted when the hosts connected a surprise caller.

The Opposition Leader had just begun the painfully awkward process of ringing around to crossbenchers seeking support in the event of a hung parliament and the too-close-to-call vote leaves Australia in political limbo, when Acton broke the news.

“Bill, you’re not going to believe this but we’ve actually got Pauline Hanson who’s called into the show,” he said.

“Oh, great,” an unimpressed Shorten replied.

The future Senate crossbencher told Mr Shorten she was keen to have a coffee and a good chat at parliament house.

“Fair enough,” he said.

Bill Shorten was did not seem impressed taking the surprise call from Pauline Hanson. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Ms Hanson enthusiastically said she supported Mr Shorten’s call for a royal commission into the banking sector, and suggested the two form an alliance to make it happen.

“I think we should work on it together Bill, don’t you? It’s an absolute disgrace what’s happening,” she said.

Mr Shorten agreed that the banking sector should be brought to a royal commission, but was careful not to align himself with Ms Hanson.

Ms Hanson also hinted that she shared similar views to the Labor leader on same sex marriage, but wanted a referendum and plebiscite on the issue which Mr Shorten did not support.

Mr Shorten was forced to clarify he didn’t agree with Ms Hanson after Acton remarked: “Sounds like the two of you are agreeing on a lot of stuff here.”

“I’m not quite there on that one, but that’s OK,” he said.

Ms Hanson told Mr Shorten she would have his full support if he would commit to running “government for the people”.

“I’ll bear that in mind,” he said diplomatically, prompting Monk to compare the awkward conversation to a first date.

“This is like an awkward Tinder date,” she said.

“I don’t think so,” Mr Shorten replied.

Soon-to-be senator Pauline Hanson is keen to chat with Malcolm Turnbull too. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Shorten had just detailed how awkward conversations with crossbenchers and potential kingmakers can be for leaders ringing around for support, as he and Malcolm Turnbull have both begun to do after Saturday’s vote. Mr Turnbull has spoken to at least three crossbench MPs in the lower house since Saturday, and Mr Shorten said he had begun the process himself, but said it would be more difficult for the Prime Minister.

“It’s fortunate for me, because we were the opposition in the last parliament, when you don’t have many votes, you tend not to be mean or rude to anyone, you tend to be nice to most people. So, it’s a bit easier for me to pick up the phone for the independents because unlike the Liberals I haven't been rubbishing them for the last three years,” he said.

“The problem for the Liberals is they’ve been saying that these other guys were just fringe dwellers and not worthy of their attention, so I think it’s a little harder for them to pick up the phone.

“But I’m sure Malcolm’s swallowing a dose of humble pie and ringing up and inviting them around for dinner or whatever he does.”