Coronavirus Australia: 80 Queenslanders join Pauline Hanson’s High Court border battle

Pauline’s Hanson bid to have Queensland’s border closure struck down gains host of possible plaintiffs.

Senator Hanson says the border closure is unconstitutional. Picture: News Corp

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has more than 80 Queenslanders ready to join her High Court fight to have Queensland’s state border closure struck down as unconstitutional.

Senator Hanson has already obtained the services of a lawyer and plans to whittle down the list of interested parties to one sole plaintiff.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has brushed off fears her insistence on keeping borders closed to keep out coronavirus could be illegal and says the case would make the High Court months after borders are finally reopened.

The One Nation leader has been advised any border case could be heard much earlier than originally thought, and is prepared to lay out her case by the end of next week.

“At least 80 people applied to be the plaintiff in this case. And I have had legal advice that this could be expedited to the High Court within three weeks,” she told The Australian.

“One person will be the ultimate plaintiff. I would dearly like to be able to finalise this by the end of next week.

“I’m deadly serious about this … there is no reason for Queensland’s border to be closed and it is likely unconstitutional under section 92 of the Constitution.”

Senator Hanson – who earlier this week accused the Premier of leading a “dictatorship” over the borders – said on Friday that Ms Palaszczuk has misread the mood of the Queensland public and leaving regional tourism jobs in peril.

She also took aim at Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan and South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, saying their decision to keep borders closed was dividing the nation.

“She’s overplayed her hand … I hope common sense prevails. She should show some leadership, the state is not going to be viable without jobs,” Senator Hanson said.

“As for Western Australia and South Australia, we’re supposed to be all in this together. We’re not all in this together. This case would set a precedent for them all.

“They are shutting everyone out. We are all Australians.”