Dear Bill, bury the Greens on ballots or we’ll bury Labor, Pauline Hanson

Pauline Hanson’s ultimatum to Labor: preference the Greens last at the next election or go last on the One Nation how-to-vote card.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. Picture: AAP

Pauline Hanson has issued an ­ultimatum to Bill Shorten, demanding Labor preference the Greens last at the next federal poll or be relegated to the bottom of the One Nation how-to-vote card along with the far-left environmental party.

The One Nation Leader on Thursday dubbed the Greens “outrageous and dangerous extre­mists” for pushing a plan to pay welfare to all Australians and allow first-home buyers to obtain low-interest loans directly from the Reserve Bank.

Senator Hanson targeted the Greens’ proposal to introduce a non-means-tested payment, dubbed a “universal basic income”, for criticism and sought an assurance from Labor that it would not strike a preference deal with the minor party before the next federal election.

In a letter to the Labor leader, obtained by The Australian, Senator Hanson calls on Mr Shorten to “confront the danger your alliance with the Greens poses to the security, wellbeing and prosperity of our great nation”.

“Australians rightfully are concerned the Labor Party will once again do a preference deal with the Greens ahead of the upcoming federal election. I am seeking your assurance as leader of the Labor Party that this will not happen”.

The plan to introduce a universal basic income — announced by Greens leader Richard Di Natale in an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday — could raise the total welfare bill to more than $400 billion, take away the incentive to work, and force an increase in the top marginal tax rate to almost 80 per cent, according to analysis obtained by The Australian.

Senator Hanson branded Senator Di Natale’s address as “bizarre and outrageous”, arguing it gave “no thought to sensible economic management” and also took aim at the Greens’ stance on border protection and energy policy.

She told Mr Shorten in her letter: “The time has come in the political debate where you must make a declaration. Are you for the long-term prosperity of the Australian people or are you for the short-term political gain Labor’s preference deal with the Greens supposably brings?”

If Mr Shorten fails to provide an assurance that Labor will put the Greens last on its how-to-vote cards, Senator Hanson has signalled that One Nation will be forced to “place the Greens and Labor last at the next election”.

Senator Hanson has been turning up the pressure on Labor in recent weeks and fiercely opposed its plan to scrap refundable franking credits for retirees, which would raise $55bn over a decade.

She says One Nation would use its Senate numbers as a check on the legislative agenda of a future Shorten government.

In last year’s Queensland state election, One Nation preferenced against some sitting MPs, costing the Liberal National Party any chance of winning, giving seats to Labor.