Election 2025: Trumpet of Patriots attacks One Nation over Coalition preferences

Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots has attacked Pauline Hanson’s One Nation for preferencing the Coalition in a new ad campaign that labels the minor party as ‘evil’.

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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has savaged Clive Palmer and the leader of his Trumpet of Patriots party, Suellen Wrightson, after they criticised the minor party for preferencing the Coalition and labelled it “evil”.

In the 15-second video shared online and via text message during the final week of the election campaign, Ms Wrightson claims a vote for One Nation is a “vote for Peter Dutton”.

“Pauline Hanson gives your vote to Peter Dutton,” the Trumpet of Patriots leader said. “One Nation is no nation; it is a Liberal Party front. They refuse to vote against hate speech and are evil. Vote one Trumpet of Patriots.”

Senator Hanson said the attack was “unwarranted and uncalled for”. It comes just months after the longstanding politician rejected Mr Palmer’s proposal to combine the two parties.

“It’s pure gutter politics,” Senator Hanson said. “He’s pathetic.

“It’s about control. His ego has been dented, and he doesn’t like it. It’s a nasty, vindictive move against One Nation, especially when a lot of the policies they’re advocating … are only motherhood statements.

“That’s all smoke screen to say that I’m a prop-up for the Coalition. I never have been. That is, again, a weak excuse.”

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.

Last week, One Nation rewrote its how-to-vote cards in order to preference the Liberals and Nationals second in the majority of lower house seats it is contesting after initially refusing to repay similar moves by the Coalition earlier in the campaign.

The move contrasts with the Trumpet of Patriots, which has listed the incumbent MP last on its how-to-vote cards. It is a significant shift from 2022, when Mr Palmer’s previous party, the United Australia Party, put Coalition candidates second on how-to-vote cards.

“I cannot, and I will not, support the Labor-Greens at all in any way, shape or form,” Senator Hanson said.

“I don’t think the Coalition have got it 100 per cent right, but I tell you what, they’re a lot better to back.”

Senator Hanson also questioned the principles of Ms Wrightson following the attack.

“I’ve had a great working relationship with her, she’s spoken highly of me to my face … I am surprised that she actually delivered those lines,” she said.

A spokesman for Mr Palmer did not directly respond to questions from The Australian.

The Coalition’s how-to-vote cards in Labor-held seats it is targeting, including Hunter, Robertson and Paterson in NSW, Blair in Queensland and Solomon in the Northern Territory, list One Nation second. It has also put the minor party second for the upper house in Queensland and NSW.