Hanson supports bushfire royal commission

Media Release

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson supports a thorough investigation into the catastrophic bushfires, but she said it must also hear evidence from both sides of the climate change debate, and honestly consider the impact of environment and climate change policies.

Senator Hanson added that the extent of the fires had solidified One Nation’s policy to overturn Queensland’s Vegetation Management laws that hinder the agriculture sector, and threaten lives and property.

“There’s lots of varying opinions about these fires, lots of theories, misinformation and emotions, so the honest truth needs to be determined, people have the right to know full and complete information so let’s have a royal commission,” Senator Hanson said.

“Is it so-called man-made climate change that caused this series of disasters, or is it mismanagement of the land due to environment and climate change policies? Let’s investigate and prove what it is. I’ve got my beliefs but I’d like to know for sure, and I think plenty of other Australians would like to know too.

“Our country is in a disgraceful mess, I travel around a lot and I can see it’s tired, it’s been ill-managed, and something needs to be done.

“There’s been lots of scaremongering on this issue, and Prime Minister Morrison seems to be rattled and is making his decisions based on that scaremongering. I want leadership based on facts.

“He’s on the world stage now and he doesn’t want to feel out of step so he’s being led by the UN and Paris Agreement.

“This is no time for political manoeuvring; it’s a time to find the truth and take decisive action, as this is about the future of our country.

“The royal commission should also look at former politicians and bureaucrats and the wealth they’ve accumulated from policy decisions on climate change.”

Senator Hanson noted that the bushfires have divided Australia, with some adamant it has been caused by man-made climate change, while others blame a combination of drought, poor land management, banning of livestock grazing in national parks, and resulting fuel build-up.

“People can no longer graze their cattle in national parks, the Government is not allowing fallen trees on private property to be raked, residents can’t even collect a little firewood for their stoves and heaters like they used to, so the fuel has been allowed to build up over many many years,” Senator Hanson said.

“And then we have these arsonists who have lit most of the recent fires, why are they doing it? What is in their heads?

“183 people have been cautioned or charged with offences related to the bushfires – they’re the inconvenient facts, Prime Minister.”

END

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Pauline Hanson slams Mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct as “massive failure!”

MEDIA RELEASE

The long-awaited Mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct has been described by One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson as a massive failure that doesn’t secure a fair milk price for dairy farmers and may even drive farm gate prices down.

She added that a code has been needed since early 2018, when it was first suggested, to help stem the continuing haemorrhaging of farmers from the dairy industry. 

Senator Hanson said blame for any fallout from the disastrous mandatory code would be held by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie, who she said had to have “her arm twisted” to actually finish the code promptly as was promised.

“The code, which has been delayed all year, has finally been finished thanks to pressure from One Nation, but they still couldn’t get it right. It is one massive failure and an enormous disappointment for struggling farmers,” Senator Hanson said.

“This code was supposedly made a priority by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who had to virtually twist the arm of Agriculture Minister McKenzie to get on and finish it promptly, and the result is very disappointing.

“The simple summary is this: the dairy code of conduct will not save farmers from being forced to sell their milk below cost price.

“It begs the question: why is it so hard for the Government, particularly the National Party, to support dairy farmers and give them some surety?” 

Senator Hanson noted that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had recommended the code in April 2018, and delays in implementation had overseen dairy farmer numbers fall by approximately 500, which was having a detrimental impact on rural communities.  She added that Australia was experiencing falling production each year and, by 2023, would be a net-importer of dairy products.

Senator Hanson said the Mandatory Dairy Code failed in key areas:

  • It fails to secure an industry minimum farm gate price for milk that ensures farmers can cover production costs and earn a fair income;
  • While it does require a minimum price be included in each contract, it does not guarantee that that price should be above production costs;
  • It also allows agreed milk prices to be reduced by processors “in exceptional circumstances”, which are not clearly defined and leaves farmers with ongoing insecurity about their income.

Senator Hanson has vowed to keep pushing for improved laws through her Saving Australian Dairy Bill, which has been rejected twice in the Senate by Liberal and National senators.

She has campaigned for the introduction of a fair farm gate price that is determined by the ACCC to allow farmers to remain viable and the industry to remain strong. She has not campaigned for a return to full regulation.

“Costs differ to produce milk in each region, and that’s why it should be up to the ACCC to determine how much it is to produce milk in those regions, investigated twice a year,” she said.

“What happened years ago was the Government subsidised the dairy industry – both state and federal – and that is not what I am asking for now.

“I am asking for the processors to pay a fair farm gate price to the dairy farmer; that is, the production cost and profit, which they’re not getting at the moment, which is passed on.

“It’s the consumer that pays the price, not the government.”

Australians have already made it clear that they will pay more for milk in the knowledge it would help to sustain the dairy industry.

The mandatory code will be introduced from January 1, with a review of its effectiveness and impact to be conducted after 12 months.

“It’s now a case of wait and see how destructive the code is and how many farmers will continue to call it a day and exit the industry,” Senator Hanson said.

“I imagine by about March we’ll have a good idea about how damaging this code actually is.”

The code gives authority to the ACCC to ensure code compliance by farmers and processors.

Senator Hanson rejected suggestions that a farm gate price would breach international trade agreements.

END

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Pauline Hanson honours the men of Australia


MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has paid homage to the majority of men in Australia, who she described as good, honest, hard-working and “not toxic” in a speech in Parliament.

The leading Queensland senator also called out the hypocrisy of feminists who push for “equality in boardrooms and politics” but not in less-glamorous male-dominated jobs like firefighting, truck driving and underground coalmining.

“I wish to honour the everyday men of Australia – the many males who go about their lives working hard to provide for their families, putting food on the table, without any fuss and without expecting any fanfare or huge accolades,” Senator Hanson told the Senate.

“You men help make Australia what it is today. It’s not often that the dedicated and hardworking men in this country collectively get a pat on the back as they deserve, so I’d like to do that now.

“Well done, men. You deserve to be honoured. I thank you.”

The speech followed absurd suggestions last month that firefighters, after they fought the recent bushfires, go home and beat their wives and partners.

“While the firefighters, who are mostly males, were battling the blazes, we had feminists telling us that after they fight the fires – no doubt exhausted, dehydrated, covered with ash and soot and with their skin singed from the heat – they go home and beat their partners,” Senator Hanson said.

“What an idiotic suggestion.

“There is zero research to back up that claim. It is perhaps no surprise that the comments were made by a good friend of the Greens.

“At the time, I stood firm and described the comments as disgusting and male bashing.

“I also made it clear that I have had a gutful of hearing from man-hating feminists. I believe in what is fair and just and I’m sick and tired of this criticism of men in Australia, especially if they’re white.”

Senator Hanson highlighted the contribution of men in difficult and non-glamorous roles, including firefighting.

“Why is there such an ongoing attack on the men of this country, particularly those who are showing strength and masculinity and who risk their lives to protect property, lives, pets and animals?” she asked in the speech.

“Well, I’m not going to man-bash. There is no reason to do it. The vast majority of men are not toxic; they are loving, caring, respectful and hardworking.”

Senator Hanson questioned why the feminist movement had not campaigned to increase female worker numbers in less-glamorous jobs.

“Why aren’t the feminists who demand equality in boardrooms and politics not rushing to sign up as volunteer firefighters?” she said.

“In August 2019, there were 208,900 truckies in Australia, and 4.3% were female.

“Well, the feminists should be ashamed at letting themselves down in this field – I have never seen a feminist recruiting campaign to get more women behind the wheels of a truck. Maybe it’s too demanding and not glamorous enough, so they’re happy for the men to do it.

“In August 2019, there were 51,300 coal mining workers in Australia, and 13.9% were women – no doubt less down in the mines.

“Why aren’t the feminists demanding that more women be given jobs several kilometres underground in the darkness, the heat and the danger on the machinery drilling for coal?”

Senator Hanson recognised the unique and important role of males in the community.

“I would like to say thank you to men; you help make Australia the great nation it is today.”

END

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Statement on Supporting Integrity

MEDIA RELEASE

The overarching consideration for any decisions made by One Nation in Parliament is this: is it good for Australia?

It was exactly this that guided our decision on the Ensuring Integrity Bill.

As I have said countless times, One Nation’s decision does not absolve the union movement of its responsibility to take genuine steps now to stamp out thuggery, corruption, standover actions, and unreasonable demands from employers. But I also have made clear that business groups also need to work with government to stamp out white collar crime and make sure they deliver fair wages and conditions for their employees.

Senator Hanson and Senator Roberts speak to the media after the defeat of the Governments Ensuring Integrity Bill

It is only fair that all sides of the work and employment sector all improve their behaviour.

The Government has made a number of allegations about me since the vote last Thursday, and all of them are false.

They suggested I had given a guarantee that I would support the bill. I never did that. This lie was also picked up by the media, which kept repeating it to the point that some people believed it. 

Headlines that suggest that One Nation “flip flopped” are also not true. And to suggest that we “blind-sided the Government” is actually an issue for the Government, which apparently has believed its own hype and the media’s desperation for a scoop.

There have also been allegations that my vote was directly related to the Westpac money laundering fiasco, which revealed that Westpac had allowed around 23-million international cash transactions that may have aided child exploitation crimes; that it was somehow connected to the Government’s cash ban bill, which proposes to limit any cash payments by consumers to a maximum $10,000; and another allegation was that I had made a deal over the Bill with the CFMMEU. All these claims are false.

And, most recently, the Government also suggested I had given a written guarantee and had even texted Ministers that I would support the Bill. I never did that, and I’ve followed up that with a request for the recipients of those so-called texts to prove their allegations by releasing them publicly. 

No doubt they will find any excuse as to why they won’t reveal those texts, but the truth is they don’t exist.

As I said at the outset, One Nation’s vote against the bill was based on the belief that it is a poor law and it was not in the interests of Australia.

One Nation is a mature and growing party. It operates only for what is best for Australia and the Australian people. Any suggestion that we function any differently is false.


Senator Pauline Hanson
Senator For Queensland
National One Nation Leader

END

Ensuring Integrity Bill Vote

MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation senators Malcolm Roberts and Pauline Hanson have today voted against the Morrison Government’s Ensuring Integrity Bill.

Following weeks of consultation with the Government, unions and peak bodies, the final vote was 34 – 34.

Senator Hanson said, “Despite One Nation putting forward 11 amendments to the Ensuring Integrity Bill, there was a quantity of non-amendable changes that prevented our full support.”

The One Nation leader said that the Bill provided unfettered powers to administrators should they be appointed over registered organisations.

Once appointed, administrators could perform any function, or exercise any power that the organisation or its officers can perform.

Senator Hanson said, “We have seen the highly questionable behaviour of administrators, liquidators, receivers, and managers exercise unlimited powers on their appointment by the banks in the One Nation Senate Inquiry into Rural Bank Lending Practices.”

“Under no circumstance was I going to unleash their unlimited power and zero accountability on Australian unions or other registered organisations.”

Senator Hanson lobbied the Morrison Government to expand the Banking Royal Commission in 2018 to investigate administrators, liquidators, receivers and managers, with no beneficial outcome.

“Over recent weeks we have seen rampant white-collar crime exposed, involving tens of millions of breaches by Westpac, with no effort from the bank or this government to deal with their illegal actions.”

“This week we also saw the Registered Organisations Commission called into question by the Federal Court over what appears to be an illegal raid on the Australian Workers Union.”

“When you’re asking Unions to act in accordance with the law, you need Government departments to lead by example.”

“Let this be a warning shot across the bows to all Union bosses to get their act together and a second shot across government bows to clean up the white collar crime.”

One Nation has thanked the Government, Chambers of Commerce, the Master Builders, the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, CFFMEU, ACTU, and affiliated unions and the countless phone calls from workers across Queensland and Australia who have all been considered in this outcome.

END

Statement – Ensuring Integrity Bill 2019


I have asked the Attorney General to release all amendments surrounding the Ensuring Integrity Bill ASAP.

My office and I have worked constructively with a number of Unions over recent months, who have raised a quantity of genuine concerns about the original draft of this Bill.

I have released One Nation’s amendments for the sake of transparency after listening to the Unions and their members who took the time to consult with my office.

I won’t stand for Union bashing and therefore I won’t support the de-registration of organisations for misdemeanour offences like late paperwork submissions.

I have however forewarned Union bosses that bullying and thuggery must be stamped out in accordance with public expectations.

Senator Pauline Hanson
One Nation National Leader
Senator for Queensland

END

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Childhood victims of Family Law system urged to make submissions as Inquiry deadline nears

MEDIA RELEASE

Childhood victims of poor outcomes from the Family Law system are urged to pass their concerns – along with their suggestions for improvements – to the Parliament’s Family Law Inquiry.

The deadline for making submissions to the landmark inquiry closes on December 18.

This review is the most holistic investigation of the entire Family Law and Child Support systems in decades; it is unhindered by tight terms of reference, short time-frames or geographical difficulties.

“Children are often the most impacted by family breakup, with the confusion and hurt of seeing their parents split on many occasions amplified by the added challenges of dealing with the court system,” Senator Hanson said.

“So I want to encourage any teenagers, young adults and even grown-ups who experienced such problems when they were children, to all consider making a submission to the Inquiry.

“The committee needs to know the problems of the family law system, and those who experienced the difficulties have valuable first-hand personal  information that can help improve the system for families into the future.”

The inquiry will investigate every aspect of the Family Law and Child Support systems, from custody issues, support payments, performance of lawyers and court appointed experts, delays in the court system, and other issues.

“I have only one aim with this inquiry and that is to help facilitate a holistic, unhindered, unbiased review into a very complex system that is impacting negatively on the lives of hundreds and thousands of men, women and children across Australia,” Senator Hanson said.

“There are countless stories of hardships and problems caused as a result of the broken family law system, for men and women, but particularly impacting children.

“So we need this review to look at all the issues honestly, and come up with solutions to make the process better for those impacted.”

The inquiry committee will hold hearings across Australia, in both cities and rural areas.

For information about the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Family Law System, including guides to making a submission, visit: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Family_Law_System/FamilyLaw

The Committee Secretariat can be contacted at:

PO Box 6100, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6277 3439

Email: familylaw.sen@aph.gov.au

END

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The Greens need to reveal their plan for dangerous damaged solar panels, says Hanson

MEDIA RELEASE

The Greens Party needs to reveal its plans to solve the side-effects of the green agenda, as heavy metals leaching from solar panels damaged by hail are now a potential threat to water supplies, One Nation senator Pauline Hanson said.

Solar panels, which can contain the dangerous heavy metal Cadmium Telluride, are among household and business items smashed during the severe hail storms – particularly on the Sunshine Coast where some locals reported stones as big as cricket balls.

“It’s all well and good for the Greens to push an agenda for renewable energy, but they fail to provide any solutions for when things go bad, like we are seeing with the solar panels in the ferocious storms on the Sunshine Coast and parts of Brisbane,” Senator Hanson said.

“Cadmium is a dangerous heavy metal – it can be toxic if swallowed or breathed in – and the Greens seem to conveniently ignore that fact when solar panels are smashed and these poisons can escape.”

Senator Hanson also raised the concern that prime agricultural land in Queensland was making way for solar farms – including a five-million panel project in Kilcoy, as well as farms near Warwick and land at Collinsville.

“It’s a concern that farmers are stopped from clearing land so they can grow crops, but governments will allow companies to come in and cover those fertile sites with thousands of solar panels that don’t seem to live up to the hype,” Senator Hanson said.

“Not only do we compromise our ability to grow food, but any damage to those panels could risk heavy metal contamination of the soils and waterways, so there’ll be no going back.”

“What do the Greens suggest we do when any of these glass panels crack and the poisons leach out? Do they have solutions to the contamination of household and business water tanks, our waterways, and our farmland?”

Senator Hanson said panels also posed serious disposal challenges when they came to the end of their useful life.

“These are not easy items to throw away. They are not suitable for general landfill due to these poisons,” she said.

Storm warnings were also issued on the weekend for near Rockhampton, Moreton Bay and parts of Brisbane.

Poisoning from Cadmium Telluride can cause various reactions, from basic flu-like symptoms through to breathing problems, and kidney and liver complications. Alternate silicon-based solar panels have similar issues with lead leaching, although cadmium is suggested to be 10 times more hazardous than Lead.

“The renewable and sustainable power mantra is unreliable and has too many holes in it, and the potential leaking cadmium issue has further highlighted that shortcoming,” Senator Hanson said.

“The Greens need to be more proactive in addressing the problems surrounding their obsession with so-called green energy, because sometimes in the long run it’s not that green at all.

“Coal-fired power is still the cheapest, the most reliable, and really the environmentally safest source of power, and until we face the facts on renewables, or find some magic improvements, it remains the best option for Australia.”

END

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Pauline Hanson slams “disgusting male-bashing” Greens, Moody

MEDIA RELEASE


Senator Pauline Hanson has described as disgusting comments by a well-known friend of the Greens that firefighters return home from fighting fires to commit acts of domestic violence.

Senator Hanson described the comments as “disgusting” and as “male bashing”, adding that it was “not good enough” for the Greens to promote such rhetoric.

“I’ve had a gutful of hearing from man-hating feminists,” Senator Hanson said.

“I believe in what’s fair and just, and I’m sick and tired of this bashing men in Australia, especially if you’re white.”

The angry response followed a tweet by commentator Sherele Moody that said: “What happens when the fire heroes go home? Some of them bash their partners.”

Ms Moody had sought the support of The Greens to table a petition in the Senate that called for Senator Hanson to be removed from the “Joint Select Committee on Reform of Australia’s Family Law System”.

“She wanted The Greens’ support to put a petition on the floor of parliament to stop me from being on the Family Law Inquiry that I got up for all Australians to have a say,” Senator Hanson explained.

“I’m sick and tired of hearing it, your feminist twisted views about it.

“I’m not going anywhere, so like it or lump it.”

Senator Hanson highlighted the Greens’ poor judgment, given their comments this week that the bushfires were caused by climate change and the major parties were “no better than arsonists” over their response to the issue.

“You can’t come out and make these nasty comments and think that it’s reflective of everyone out there,” Senator Hanson said.

“Especially at a time when there are people working their guts out to protect property, lives, pets and animals.

“And then to be accused of this from a woman who is obviously a man-hater, I’m not going to let it happen.

“It’s disgraceful, she cannot be serious. If she has a hatred of men out there, then she needs counselling.”

Ms Moody reportedly said at The Greens press conference:  “After a cataclysmic event like this, domestic violence peaks”.

Senator Hanson replied:  “It’s not good enough Larissa – you stood beside her during that interview.”

See more at Senator Hanson’s Facebook page, “Pauline Hanson Please Explain”

END

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Hanson urges more expansion to farmer drought payments

MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called for an end to time limits for payments to drought-impacted farmers under the Farm Household Allowance program.

The allowance, an amount equal to Newstart payments, is available to farmers who are suffering financial stress due to the drought, which has extended into eight years for many communities.

Senator Hanson has criticised Government rules that restrict the payments to “four years in each specified 10-year period”. The first four-year period started in 2014.

“Farmers are still the backbone of this country,” Senator Hanson said in a speech to the Senate.

“One Nation and I will continue to fight to make sure farmers who are struggling financially due to the impact of this extended drought get the support they need.

“The government remains incredibly out of touch with farmers and their needs through these difficult times.

“The eligibility for these Farm Household Allowance payments should be in place for struggling farmers for as long as the drought emergency lasts, whether it’s five years, 10 years or longer, or for a period of time until they are deriving a farm income.

“The point I’ve made previously is that we don’t put time limits on payments for those receiving Newstart.  In fact, there are families that have received such payments for generation after generation, yet we allow that to go on with hardly any questions asked.

“It is worth noting that farmers who receive these Farm Household Allowance payments are not just sitting on the couch watching TV or sitting down at the pub, unlike many other welfare recipients who take these payments as a right.

“The farmers are continuing to work, caring for the cattle, buying fodder, fixing fences, managing weeds and just doing what they can to make ends meet while they wait for the rains that will end the drought. From there they can rebuild their farming operations and their lives.”

Senator Hanson is also angered that the Government has suggested farmers who are struggling should consider their farming futures.

“I’m annoyed that the default position of the government seems to be to tell farmers to reconsider their futures,” she said.

“To me, that sounds like government code for: ‘We have no answers. We give up and we want you to give up too.’

“I’m not having any of that. Our farmers are the lifeblood of Australia. I’m not going to give up. I’m keeping this important industry alive and thriving.

“We grow the best food in the world and we have the best milk and the best livestock, and we are not going to just throw that all away.

“I call on the PM to clean up our own backyard and look after Australians first before handing out hard-earned taxpayer dollars in foreign aid to other nations, who use us as a milking cow, and addressing climate change demands.

“I won’t be taken for a mug and neither will most other Australians.”

END

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