‘I admire Pauline’: Shock Indigenous candidate ready to roll for Hanson

A one-handed Indigenous truck driver endorsed by One Nation for the federal election says he is running to end the ‘hoax’ that Pauline Hanson is racist.

A one-handed Indigenous truck driver endorsed by One Nation for the federal election says he is running to end the “hoax” that Pauline Hanson is racist.

Ian Mye, who will contest Richmond in NSW’s north for the party, said he wants to change the “negative connotation” that One Nation leader Ms Hanson is “not there for our people”.

One Nation has supported an audit of spending on federal Indigenous programs, something also pledged by the Coalition, with Mr Mye also voicing concerns over whether funding was making a practical difference.

“I’ve got an Indigenous background, I love my people and I’ve got a close affinity to our people and the plight they’ve got,” he said.

One Nation truck driver Ian Mye will contest Richmond on the NSW north coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I’m a little perplexed the amount of funding our people get and it doesn’t get to those who need it most … if I perceived Pauline as being racist, as the general perception is, then why would I be trying to enter parliament under the One Nation banner?”

“It’s a hoax in my opinion, and I admire Pauline’s grit and determination for getting out there and trying to better the lives of all Australians, not just the Indigenous.”

Mr Mye, who lost his left hand up to the wrist when he was hit by a semi-trailer when stepping off a school bus in 1966, said he has forged a four-decade career in truck driving and that the injury has never held him back.

The political hopeful, who holds a full licence and drives a manual while changing the gears with his left arm, also backed One Nation’s pledge to halve the fuel excise to 26 cents per litre for a year.

Richmond is currently held by Labor’s Justine Elliott with a margin of 8.2 per cent, with One Nation receiving just 4.1 per cent of votes in 2022.

Originally published as ‘I admire Pauline’: Shock Indigenous candidate ready to roll for Hanson