Pauline Hanson dumps Queensland’s only One Nation MP ahead of election

Pauline Hanson has dumped her only Queensland MP ahead of October’s state election, accusing him of plotting to join another party or run as an independent.

Queensland One Nation MP Stephen Andrew has been dumped from the party. Picture: Josh Woning

Pauline Hanson has dumped her only Queensland MP ahead of October’s state election, accusing him of plotting to join another party or run as an independent.

Two-term One Nation MP Stephen Andrew, who represents the central Queensland seat of Mirani, received a letter from his party leader this week telling him he would not be endorsed following rumours he was in talks with the Katter’s Australian Party.

Senator Hanson said One ­Nation headquarters had been told by “sources”, including former staff, of Mr Andrews’ talks to go independent or join another party.

She said Mr Andrew had “underperformed” because he had not introduced a private members bill during his seven years as an MP.

“I expect more from my members of parliament – and trust them to work hard for their constituents and the party,” she said.

It was understood Senator Hanson made reference in her letter to comments Mr Andrew ­allegedly made about no longer needing the clout of One Nation because God had already told him he would win the seat for a third time.

Mr Andrew won Mirani, which stretches from Rockhampton to Mackay, from Labor in 2017 and increased his margin to a safe 9 per cent at the 2020 pandemic election.

He told The Australian he had not spoken with Senator Hanson in 11 months, and was “shell-shocked” after receiving her ­letter.

“My biggest disappointment is a situation where I just get an email – I don’t get a phone call or any consultation about the accusations that are levelled at me – it’d be nice just to know what’s ­actually going on,” he said.

Bob Katter, Mr Andrew and Pauline Hanson campaigning in Mackay in 2020.

Acknowledging he had casual conversations with other political parties, Mr Andrew insisted there was “no real push to go anywhere”.

“I stayed on the horse I rode in on,” Andrew said.

“Do you look at every option and scenario? Everybody does at one stage I think, but that doesn’t mean to say that’s being disloyal.”

Mr Andrew defended his work ethic, saying he delivered 27 speeches in parliament this year on 17 different bills and served on two committees.

One Nation is planning to run candidates in all 93 seats in ­October, with its best chance considered the central Queensland seat of Keppel, which Senator Hanson’s longtime staffer James Ashby hopes to win from Labor.

Mr Andrew said would still contest the October 26 election, but was unsure if he would run as an independent or seek the endorsement of another party.

“I’ll just do the best that I can to represent the people of Mirani,” he said.

KAP leader Robbie Katter was coy on talks he had with Mr Andrews, but said he had always had a “good working relationship” with the One Nation MP.

“For us, it would be deeply concerning if the seat of Mirani went to the two major parties, so we would be heavily invested in preventing that from happening,” Mr Katter said.

If Mr Andrew moved to the KAP before October, it would give the party four crossbench seats in the 93-electorate parliament.