‘I’m not my mother’: Pauline Hanson’s daughter Lee Hanson running for Tasmanian senate
With a ‘polarising’ political figure as a mother, Tasmania’s One Nation senate hopeful never planned to enter politics but now feels compelled to do so.
Tasmania
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Pauline Hanson’s daughter Lee says she had “zero interest” in politics growing up with a “polarising” political figure as a mother.
“My mother and I are very different,” Lee told the media in Hobart on Thursday announcing her run for the senate in Tasmania under One Nation.
“I’m exceptionally proud of her and yes she has polarising views,” the 41-year-old mother of two said.
“I’m not polarising, I’m passionate. If I care about something I will speak up, but my mum would be the first person to tell you I’m far more diplomatic than her and that’s what I stand by,” Lee said.
Lee moved to Tasmania 13 years ago and is raising her two sons who were born in the state, aged seven and 10, with her husband near Richmond.
She has a corporate background in leading teams, culture transformation, driving innovation and outcomes and was never planning on entering politics like her mum.
She said it was a “very hard” decision to enter politics, but she was driven to stand up due to concerns about her son’s futures.
“I’m actually worried about what future is ahead of them, I don’t foresee the chance of them owning a home,” she said.
“How are they ever going to access the required health or education system they need to achieve their future?
“Whilst I might challenge my mother and her political views from a new age generation, I’m not my mother.”
She added that she would focus on policies targeting cost-of-living, access to healthcare and education and housing.
“We do share a lot of fantastic values and qualities and I’m proud of what my mother achieved, but I need to pave my own way and the Tasmanian issues are different,” she said.
“I’m here to represent Tasmania.”
Pauline said her daughter was dedicated to the state of Tasmania as a “true blue Tassie” and had a lot to offer politics.
One Nation Party announces Tassie candidate
Pauline Hanson has announced her Senate candidate for the 2025 federal election – her daughter Lee Hanson.
Ms Hanson, who moved to the state 13 years ago and is raising a family with her husband, was called the One Nation party’s top Senate candidate for the state on Thursday.
At the top of her list of priorities going into the election is the cost of living, education and the state of the healthcare system.
“I’ve built a career through my ability to understand the real problems and develop long term and future thinking solutions and strategies, and by effectively leading teams through difficult change and transformation,” she said.
“Our hospitals and GPs are overwhelmed.
“Tasmanians are lucky to get in to see or afford a doctor, let alone a specialist.
“We need to overhaul Medicare to lift bulk-billing rates while ensuring GPs are available and fairly remunerated so they can keep their doors open.
“Our education system is broken.
“Teachers are struggling and our curriculum is not providing our children or our workforce with the outcomes and skills they need.”
At the core of her political campaign is knowledge instilled by her mother, she says.
“I’ve also grown up with one of most tenacious, resilient and strongest women in Australia as my mother: Pauline Hanson,” she said.
“She’s always been my role model, and I share and live by the same values of honesty, integrity and tenacity.
“I don’t give up, I always speak the truth, and I stand up for others when they need a voice.
“I’m part of a younger generation with a different lens, and different life and work experience. I am not a career politician.
“I’m a grassroots Australian, someone who is ready to get to work for this great state of Tasmania which I love and call home.”
One Nation Party has consistently announced candidates for federal elections, calling a field of people in both the 2022 and 2019 elections.
However the party has faced significant opposition, with the party car in the 2019 election campaign notably set on fire.
Originally published as ‘I’m not my mother’: Pauline Hanson’s daughter Lee Hanson running for Tasmanian senate
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