Pauline Hanson hits Buderim pub for Australia Day

UPDATE: One Nation leader Pauline Hanson hit a pub for Australia Day with newly-appointed Queensland party leader Steve Dickson. And she had more than a few words to say.

ONE Nation leader Pauline Hanson has declared she doesn’t believe “true Aboriginals’’ care about shifting Australia Day from January 26.

The senator, who hosted an open forum and celebration at the Buderim Tavern on the Sunshine Coast, said she felt it was not the date that mattered.

Ms Hanson said “the sentiment will be the same’’ no matter when the day was held and Australia had to deal with the issues.

She said we could not change what had happened in history.

“I don’t believe that true Aboriginals care about the date,’’ Ms Hanson said.

“It’s a minority pushing an agenda.’’

Pauline Hanson at the Buderim Tavern. Picture: Lachie Millard

Ms Hanson told a group of about 120 supporters that indigenous people were starting to come to her because they “had not been heard’’ by other politicians.

She said their greatest concern was education and ensuring children went to school.

Alcohol was a major problem as well as young people sniffing glue, with people being “bashed and raped’’.

“There is no hope,’’ she said.

Ms Hanson was flanked by fellow Queensland Senator Malcolm Roberts and newly-appointed Queensland party leader Steve Dickson, the Buderim MP who defected from the LNP.

She ran a “pub test’’, to allow attendees to have their say on a range of “hot topics”.

The crowd was asked to vote through a show of hands whether they thought Australia Day should be moved to avoid the Invasion Day association.

Pauline Hanson and Steve Dickson at a One Nation appearance for Australia Day at the Buderim Tavern. Picture: Lachie Millard

Two hands voted yes, and more than 100 were raised for no.

“That’s democracy,’’ she said. “They lost.’’

Issues ranged from the need to promote Australian made products to supporting medical marijuana, banning burqas and getting tougher on political perks, including rich entitlements for former prime ministers such as Kevin Rudd.

Ms Hanson raised concerns about the number of Defence personnel returning from overseas with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and taking their own lives.

She said it was very distressing that we were losing them “on our home soil’’.

Pauline Hanson and Steve Dickson at the tavern. Picture: Lachie Millard

Joining her on stage was Jasmine, mother of a soldier who was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a 22-year-old and took his own life at age 27.

Jasmine said it had been an extremely tough journey and she pleaded with those suffering from PTSD to reach out to RSL sub-branches or support groups.

“We had an alarming rate (of suicide) last year and already this year,’’ she said.

Local State MP Mr Dickson thanked supporters and said One Nation was “ready to run’’ when an election was called.

Ms Hanson said support was growing around the country and she had been asked if she could come to Victoria.

“If you are from the other states, don’t worry One Nation will come down your way soon,’’ she said.

Pauline Hanson met supporters at the pub. Picture: Lachie Millard

EARLIER

ONE Nation leader Pauline Hanson has issued an open invitation to join her for an Australia Day beer at a southeast Queensland pub.

The senator took to Facebook to invite “everyday Aussies” to join her at the Buderim Tavern on the Sunshine Coast at 2pm on Australia Day.

Ms Hanson and a “host of guests” including new Queensland leader Steve Dickson and Queensland senator Malcolm Roberts, will be there and are looking forward to “catching up with everyday Aussies”.

The senator and her One Nation team members will also be adding political questions to the tavern’s ‘Pub Test’, as well as giving away Dick Smith products and a new Weber BBQ.

Originally published as Pauline Hanson hits Buderim pub for Australia Day