‘Can’t film here’: Pauline Hanson returns to Mary Poppins’ statue

Pauline Hanson has vowed she will not be bullied after being told to not film near the Mary Poppins’ statue in Maryborough by a council worker who also threatened her with police. SEE THE VIDEOS

A day after being told to stop filming by a council employee at Maryborough’s Mary Poppins’ statue, One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson returned to the scene, vowing she would not be deterred by “bullies”.

The incident occurred as Ms Hanson was about to do a live cross from the statue on the corner of Richmond and Kent Streets with Sky News on Wednesday night.

As the interview began Ms Hanson spoke about the confrontation she had just had while setting up her camera equipment.

“So a staffer came from the council and told me that I can’t film here next to Mary Poppins, because she’s apolitical and told me I shouldn’t be here,” Ms Hanson said.

“I told them ‘get lost, I’m doing the interview here’. They said ‘we’re going to ring the police’ … (and) they’ve gone away to ring them.

“So, if the police turn up and you see a confrontation here, you know what’s happening with it, because Mary Poppins is apolitical, and I shouldn’t be actually doing the interview here.”

Fraser Coast Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott apologised to the Senator on behalf of the council on Thursday, as she continued her visit across the Fraser Coast, returning to the scene of the incident to pay Mary another visit and do another interview.

Speaking to the Chronicle, she said she’d been visiting Maryborough since 1997.

Ms Hanson said Maryborough was now on the world stage as a result of the incident going viral.

“The people of Maryborough have been absolutely fantastic to me today,” she said.

“I don’t take any notice of that.”

Senator Pauline Hanson and Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott at the Mary Poppins statue in the heart of Maryborough.

Mr Truscott said he had been told a council employee approached Senator Hanson and her crew just before they went live, informing them that they could not film at the statue because it was deemed “apolitical” and therefore Senator Hanson was not able to be there, and that the police would be called to move her on.

“Let me be clear, this request was unfounded, as the statue is located on a public footpath, in an open public space, accessible to all, regardless of political affiliation,” the Deputy Mayor said.

“This morning I heard that Senator Hanson was at the Maryborough Markets, so I went to meet her and ask what happened.

“After hearing Pauline’s account of what transpired, I extended an apology on behalf of the council and the region.

“I emphasised that no one should be told they cannot be in a public space, especially an iconic location like our Mary Poppins statue.

“The Mary Poppins statue was created with donations from our community.

“It is designed specifically to be photographed and filmed with people.

“No matter who you are, you are welcome to come and get your photo with our Mary.

“I do not know the identity of the employee at the time of writing this, and this matter will be addressed by council’s CEO.

“While I hold no hard feelings towards them, I hope they learn from this experience that everyone is welcome at the statue.

“I want to assure everyone that public spaces are open to all, regardless of political views. This incident should not have occurred.

Senator Pauline Hanson, Taryn Gillard and Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott.

“Senator Hanson graciously accepted the apology on behalf of the council.”

Fraser Coast Regional Council CEO Ken Diehm also issued an apology to Ms Hanson.

“Council extends our apologies to Ms Hanson and reaffirms our respect for everyone’s right to free speech,” he said.

“The location where the filming occurred is a public footpath outside Story Bank and Ms Hanson, along with any individual, has the right to film there.

“Regrettably, a council worker acted with unnecessary caution around maintaining the independence of the Story Bank facility.

“We acknowledge this oversight and have taken steps to ensure similar incidents do not occur in the future.”

Maryborough Labor MP Bruce Saunders hit back at Ms Hanson’s claims the city was run by a “bunch of bullies”, saying his staff had copped abusive phone calls in the wake of the statue incident.

He said he wanted to make it clear the incident had not involved he or Labor, and like anyone else, Ms Hanson was entitled to stand on public streets and film.

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Originally published as ‘Can’t film here’: Pauline Hanson returns to Mary Poppins’ statue