Pauline Hanson supports Bradfield Scheme, but China can’t own it!

/in , /by
MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is warning Queenslanders not to let the LNP contract a foreign company to build any Bradfield-type water scheme, which could see taxpayers being forced to pay for their own water.

Senator Hanson said a typical LNP approach was to allow overseas companies to own major state infrastructure, and then charge the Government and taxpayers to get any benefit for it. 

“Any water that is harvested in Queensland belongs to Queenslanders, and we must make sure we retain ownership and keep getting ongoing benefits from the completed infrastructure,” Senator Hanson said.

“The feasibility study used by LNP leader Deb Frecklington to support its policy is one that suggests foreign investment, foreign builders and then foreign ownership – the last thing we need is for a country like China to build and own an iconic project like this.

“I won’t stand to see Queenslanders paying China for our own water, all because the LNP is too timid to take on a project like this on its own, with Australian engineers and workers.

“LNP and also Labor Governments have a track record of selling off infrastructure to foreigners, and I want Queenslanders to join me to fight together to stop this happening again.”

Senator Hanson was responding to the announcement that an LNP Government would build a Bradfield-type Scheme if it wins the October 2020 Queensland election. The scheme proposes building dams in the high rainfall areas of north Queensland and piping the water to western Queensland to help irrigate farm lands and increase flows to river systems, including the Murray-Darling.

Senator Hanson also questioned why the Liberal and Nationals had had such a sudden change of heart over the Bradfield-type Scheme, which has been a long-term One Nation policy that has been criticised regularly in the past.

“Barnaby Joyce gave some support to it but was quickly told to get back in his box, and then I raised it in the Senate and the Liberals and Nationals voted against it,” Senator Hanson said.

“The LNP has hardly spoken a word of it, even criticising me for raising it, but now that there’s an election looming they’ve decided to steal the One Nation policy and run with it.”

In a Notice of Motion in February, Senator Hanson asked: “That the Senate calls on the Federal Government immediately to allocate $10 billion to commence the construction of the much-needed hybrid Bradfield Scheme.”

In response, Assistant Minister Senator Anne Ruston said: “The Bradfield Scheme requires high up-front capital costs and, coupled with the ongoing running costs, would make the project unviable”.

The Senate voted 4 in favour and 46 against Senator Hanson’s idea.

Water Resources Minister David Littleproud was also quoted in the media in August as saying, “Those that want to solely [support] the Bradfield scheme actually do no benefit to the cause of water infrastructure.”

“We shouldn’t be holding onto something that is some years old and was discredited many years later,” he is reported as saying.

One Nation supported the building of a hybrid Bradfield Scheme as 2017 State Election and 2019 Federal Election policies. The party has for years been criticised for persisting with the plan, yet that persistence has now paid off by generating wider acceptance of the ambitious idea.

“A hybrid Bradfield Scheme needs to be built now – not in five years’ time. If I had been in control, it would already be happening,” Senator Hanson said.

“I’ve said all along that this is a game-changing project, and I’m glad that others are now talking about it. It’s early days, and we still need to wait and see if the LNP actually is able to win the election, which is very far from a given, and then see if it actually proceeds with the scheme.”

END

A small price to pay to support struggling farmers

/in , /by
LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

I’m pleased to have seen such a huge groundswell of public support from around Australia for our dedicated and struggling dairy farmers.

Many of you would be aware of my success in having a code of conduct fast-tracked for the dairy industry, which, among other things, will help set a minimum farm gate price for milk and therefore help farmers actually make a profit.

I hope that local residents will continue to show support for the industry by backing my proposal to add 10c to the price of each litre of milk, with that money guaranteed to go directly to the farmers.

Australians generally have great respect for our farming families. We know it is a tough job, often very isolating, impacted by many uncertainties, and financially challenging – this lifestyle is all the more difficult when there is a lack of adequate government understanding and support for the industry.

Thankfully, convincing the Australian Government to introduce the long-awaited code of conduct is a positive step forward. I have also introduced a private senator’s bill to set certain safeguards for the industry into law.

But more can be done, starting with all of us doing our bit to support the farmers by buying their produce – specifically, milk.

To put it into context, we seem to be happy paying $2 for a litre of water, and paying even more for fancy products like almond and rice milk and even up to $7 for a two-litre bottle of coconut water.

So, I think paying an extra 10c for a litre of milk is a sensible move that will help our farmers. It’s also a good investment in our rural communities and the future of Australia.

Kind regards

Senator Pauline Hanson

One Nation Leader

Senator for Queensland

END

Keep up to date with Senator Hanson by following her on Facebook and Twitter!

Learn more, get involved and join the One Nation movement!

Hanson urges Nationals to put aside differences with One Nation to help farmers

/in , /by
MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has written to every National Party MP and Senator in the Australian Parliament, urging them to put aside their differences with the One Nation party for the sake of supporting struggling dairy farmers.

The letter asks the National Party parliamentarians to follow the leadership of Labor, which has announced it will support Senator Hanson’s Protecting Australian Dairy Bill 2019.

“Labor has today announced its support to pass the Dairy Bill and I am calling on you to put aside your internal and external differences with One Nation and unite with me to pass this Bill for the sake of Australian dairy farmers,” Senator Hanson wrote in the letter.

“This may require you to cross the floor.

“Dairy farmers have been leaving the industry since it was deregulated in 2000. At that time the population of Australia was around 19 million people and the dairy industry produced close to 12 billion litres of fresh milk a year. 

“Nearly 20 years later Australia’s population is more than 25 million and milk production has fallen to 8.8 billion litres a year. 

“We are in real danger of losing access to fresh milk and becoming reliant on milk powder imported from another country.”

The letter comes at a time when the National Party, which is traditionally the party of the bush and farmer, has reportedly been in disarray. There have also been news reports of anger within the party due to Senator Hanson’s success in securing a key code of conduct for dairy farmers and milk processors.

Senator Hanson last week secured the support of Labor and the Greens to win a Senate Inquiry into the dairy industry, despite Liberals and National senators voting against the proposal.

Senator Hanson’s letter reminded the Nationals that the purpose of the Bill was to improve the viability of the dairy industry by tasking the ACCC to establish a minimum farm price for milk, to legislate a mandatory code of conduct for the relationship between farmers and milk processors, and to make a referral for investigation of the industry by the Productivity Commission. 

Senator Hanson clarified that she is prepared to advise the National Party further if needed.

“My open door policy should give you the confidence to speak with me should you need any further information,” Senator Hanson wrote.

END

Keep up to date with Senator Hanson by following her on Facebook and Twitter!

Learn more, get involved and join the One Nation movement!

Senator Hanson questions if returning tested pills is illegal

/in , /by
MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson has questioned the legality of handing back pills that have been tested at music festivals.

Senator Hanson suggested the practice was akin to turning a blind eye to, and even being complicit in, the commission of a crime.

The issue was raised by Senator Hanson in Senate Estimates today with Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece P Kershaw, during hearings conducted by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Senator Pauline Hanson questions

Senator Hanson asked: “How is it that, outside of the venue, it is illegal to take illicit drugs, but you can go to a venue, you can have your pill tested, it is then handed back to you and saying, ‘It’s ok for you to take that pill?’ Where is the line that it is classified as abiding by the laws of the nation, and not?”

Commissioner Kershaw responded by saying: “I think it goes back to, obviously, if people possess those drugs and they’re an offence, then we’ll enforce that.”

The response followed a string of questions by Senator Hanson that focussed on the police battle against the use and import of illicit drugs.

Senator Hanson: “Is the drugs coming into Australia on the up, or are we keeping it under control?”

Commissioner Kershaw: “We have seen an increase. I mean, Australia is a target market for organised crime given the fact that our price and profit margin for organised crime remains quite high.”

He added however, that the AFP worked very closely with international police – including in Myanmar, Columbia and Mexico – and had achieved successes in their campaign, however Australia’s sentences for crimes may not deter the importers.

Senator Hanson: “(Are) the sentences that we hand out in Australia for illicit drugs determin(ing) the impact or the amount of imports, or the manufacture of drugs in the country? Does that have an impact on it, coming down to the court system, and people selling their drugs?”

Commissioner Kershaw: “I think with organised crime, they’re prepared to operate anywhere, including where there’s jurisdictions where capital punishment exists; they’re quite capable and they will use whatever means they can to make a profit. So, we have very strong laws in Australia as far as sentences go; however, I’m not convinced that that comes into their thinking, at times.”

The commissioner also noted the very real issue of international drug criminals moving into rural communities.

“…regional communities in Australia now are a target too of organised crime and overseas based syndicates, so that’s something we will continue to focus on,” he told the Senate hearings.

Senator Hanson also said she had the greatest respect for the AFP and the work that it does.

END

Keep up to date with Senator Hanson by following her on Facebook and Twitter!

Learn more, get involved and join the One Nation movement!

Pauline Hanson secures Senate investigation of dairy industry

/in , /by
MEDIA RELEASE

A Senate investigation into the performance of Australia’s dairy industry since deregulation in 2000 has been secured by One Nation senator Pauline Hanson.

The Senate voted 33 to 28 in favour of Senator Hanson’s request for what will be a “very broad” inquiry into the industry.

The deregulation of the dairy industry was controversial almost two decades ago and unrest has never completely subsided over the ensuing years.

“The whole dairy industry has been a mess over recent years, and it really doesn’t look like getting much better on its own any time soon, so it is quite vital that we conduct this inquiry to identify and expose the problems, and introduce solutions,” Senator Hanson said.

“The inquiry will be very broad, focusing on industry management, profitability, funding and government support, regulation of farm gate prices, and other issues.”

The One Nation leader has been laser-focussed in her determination to have changes introduced to make sure the industry does not die and so Australia doesn’t become dependent on imported milk and dairy products.

“As I have said many times, we cannot allow our dairy industry to crumble to such desperate lows that farmers simply walk off the land or, worse still, resort to other drastic actions like suicide, which has occurred in an unacceptable number of cases,” Senator Hanson said.

“The fact that there has been little meaningful support from Government only makes the battle even more hopeless and lonely for many struggling dairy farmers.

“We need them to stay profitable, so they can keep producing milk and provide for their families, and to preserve their chosen way of life, which has been that way for generations.”

The inquiry will be conducted via the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee. It is scheduled to report back with its findings and recommendations in March 2020.

Topics included in Senator Hanson’s notice of motion, including an examination of the ability of Dairy Australia to act independently and support the interests of both farmers and processors, the accuracy of statistical data collected by Dairy Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the funding of Dairy Australia and its consultation and engagement on certain expenditures, the merits of tasking the ACCC to investigate how it can regulate the price of milk per litre paid by processors to dairy farmers to ensure a viable dairy industry, the introduction of a mandatory industry code of practice, and related matters.

Senator Hanson is encouraged that those and other matters will now be thoroughly investigated by the Parliament, to the benefit of the dairy industry and farmers.

END

Keep up to date with Senator Hanson by following her on Facebook and Twitter!

Learn more, get involved and join the One Nation movement!

Hanson highlights Minister McKenzie dairy industry conflict of interest

/in , /by
MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie has a conflict of interest that might be preventing her dealing promptly with the new dairy industry code of conduct.

Senator Hanson has been pushing for the introduction of the code, which will, among other things, set a fair farm gate price for milk and help shore up the viability of Australia’s dairy farms and the industry generally.

However, she noted that Minister McKenzie’s home state Victoria was the only state in which its industry opposed the introduction of the code.

Victoria has more dairy farms than all the other states combined. It is the only state in which farmers don’t have contracts with milk processors due to strong competition between processors. Victoria also exports considerable quantities of milk to other states.

Senator McKenzie is up for re-election at the next federal election, due in 2022.

“It’s a great concern to me that the livelihoods of dairy farmers, who are desperately waiting for some farm gate price support for their milk, might be waiting in vain due to some political reason,” Senator Hanson said.

“I hope it’s not true, but with the years of delays and Government slackness in introducing this important document, I am now starting to wonder.”

The need for the code was raised in 2014 by Australian Dairy Council and Dairy Australia. The Government in September 2018 assured it was working toward introducing the code, however, Minister McKenzie earlier this week told the Senate the draft code was only now about to progress to its third round of community consultation. 

The Government has recently suggested an introduction date of June next year; however, Senator Hanson wants it introduced ASAP – by the end of the year at the latest.

“We can get the draft out, have a few weeks of consultation, and have the code introduced and in action by the end of the year,” Senator Hanson said. “I urge the Government – just do it!”

Senator Hanson has for years highlighted poor farm gate prices, crushing contracts, rising power and water costs making dairy farming unviable, and probably forcing Australia toward dependence on imported milk.

The issue came to a head on the weekend with her ultimatum that One Nation would stop voting in support of non-critical government  business until it agreed to reregulate the dairy industry.

Senator Hanson asked in the Senate on Monday: “Why has the government waited until there has been a mass exodus of dairy farmers before realising a code of practice is required?”

Minister McKenzie: “That’s actually not true. Our government has been taking steps to stand by dairy farmers and the industry more broadly over many many years… getting this code in place is an important commitment we have made. There’s no hold up, whatsoever, on our side, to get this in place, to give the farmers the security they need”.

However, Senator Hanson noted that she had raised concerns about the industry in a Notice of Motion in the Senate on 13 September 2018, including requests to “provide immediate additional financial support to dairy farmers who cannot feed their herds”, and to “regulate the price of milk per litre paid by processors to dairy farmers to ensure a viable dairy industry”.

At the time, the Government responded: “The government strongly supports Australia’s dairy farmers and the dairy industry and acknowledges that many are doing it tough at present…. The government will work to address the significant imbalance in bargaining power and marketing information for dairy farmers through the code and particularly through its dispute resolution mechanism and other means where suitable”.

Queensland Labor Senator Anthony Chisholm added at the time: “Whilst there are many points Labor could provide strong support for, sadly there are other points that have an eye more to an election, rather than to assisting farmers….  Labor has been working closely with the dairy industry.”

“This is total BS from both the Government, which has done nothing substantial in years, and from Labor; they’re just playing the political game at the expense of farmers’ lives and livelihoods because they don’t like One Nation,” Senator Hanson said.

“It’ll be interesting to see what excuses they come up with next for doing next-to-nothing.”

Senator Hanson noted that milk production in Australia at its peak in 2000 was 12-billion litres annually, but fell to 9.5-billion litres last year and to 8.8-billion this year. She is pushing for a regulated farm gate price.

Link to 2018 Notice of Motion exchange: https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2018-09-13.57.1

Link to video of Monday’s Senate Question Time exchange: https://bit.ly/2B8JEhH

END

Hanson demands estimates “questions time” for crossbench senators

/in , /by
MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation senator Pauline Hanson wants cross bench senators to be given a fairer amount of time to ask questions during senate estimates.

Senator Hanson said One Nation and other crossbenchers often had their opportunities to ask questions relegated toward the end of estimates sessions, when time is short or running out, meaning their concerns often were unable to be raised, let alone receive responses.

“It’s important for the sake of democracy that the crossbenchers, who are vital in Australia’s parliamentary processes, are also given a fair chance to raise important issues regarding Australia’s public service operations,” Senator Hanson said.

“It’s a concern that crossbenchers are sometimes treated as second-class citizens during estimates, as if they don’t matter in ensuring the integrity of our public service.

“I could argue that the crossbench questions are often vital, because they are focussed on exposing issues of concern that the government might prefer are swept under the carpet or glossed over.

“I hope that committee chairs do the right thing and ensure all panel members get equal and significant opportunities to participate in this important democratic procedure.”

Senate estimates will be held October 21 – 25.

END

Hanson notice highlights Greens’ conservation hypocrisy

/in , /by
MEDIA RELEASE

An unsuccessful One Nation Notice of Motion has exposed the hypocrisy of the Greens on wind farm and mine approvals.

The Notice yesterday revealed that the Greens had failed to oppose a wind farm on Robbins Island, off the northwest coast of Tasmania, even though the island is home to the Tasmanian Wedge‑tailed Eagles, which are listed as “endangered”.

Yet, the Greens did oppose the Adani coal mine, 300km west of Rockhampton, on the grounds that the Black-Throated Finch, also listed as “endangered”, would become extinct if the mine went ahead.

The Notice called out the hypocrisy, saying, “the Australian Greens apply double standards in respect of species extinction, because they use an ‘endangered’ species listing if it might stop a coal project proceeding, but not when an ‘endangered’ species listing might stop a wind farm or solar farm project.”

“These facts very clearly show that the Greens are only about supporting environmental issues when it suits them politically,” Senator Hanson said.

“It’s the ultimate in hypocrisy and is a breach of trust to those who blindly rely on this so-called political party to stand up for their beliefs, no matter how misguided they are.”

“I suggest voters should instead support One Nation – at least we make decisions and cast our vote according to what is best for the Australian people.”

The Notice, among other things, also highlighted problems with the Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project, 45km north-west of Dalby in Queensland, which received $40millon in Government funds but was scrapped without generating any power.

It called on the Commonwealth Government to work with State Government Planning departments to be vigilant in making sure projects are viable and proper processes are followed when approving wind, solar and other renewable energy projects.

The Notice of Motion was lost by 53 votes to 2.

END

Pauline Hanson advises politics students to “think for themselves”

/in , /by

MEDIA RELEASE

When One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was asked to Skype chat with politics students at a Western Australian high school, she read the request but went one step better: she turned up and met with the students in person.

The visit was a thrill for the politics and law students at the Living Waters Lutheran College, in Warnbro, who listened as she outlined her determined journey into federal politics, some of her personal beliefs, and then answered a range of their questions on a wide range of topics.

One of the key pieces of advice given by Australia’s most famous female political leader was to encourage young people to get involved in politics and also to think for themselves on political and social issues.

“What I say to everyone, and what I say to you, ‘Make up your own minds because, when you go to vote, it’s all about your future’,” Senator Hanson told the seniors.

“I might have policies that you don’t agree with, and the same with the other parties, but the whole thing is that you’re not going to agree with any political party on everything – I’m sure you won’t – but it’s about taking an interest in your future, and don’t be led into a certain way of thinking.”

Senator Hanson spoke on various issues, from her jailing for upsetting the two-party system, her unrelenting desire to fight for positive outcomes for Australia, she gave examples of political and media bias against her, her concerns about politicians’ perks, and her willingness to support good policy regardless of what party proposes it, if it’s for the good of Australia.

In response to students’ questions, she revealed her support of medicinal cannabis but strong objection to recreational drug usage, her opposition to pill testing at festivals, her thoughts on climate change protests, her support for religious freedoms including at religious schools, and her views on immigration.

“The media suggests that I’m against immigration – I’m not against immigration,” Senator Hanson explained.

“It’s about finding that balance where you can actually accommodate the people you bring in, and provide the necessary infrastructure for an increased population – the roads, the hospitals, the schools, the health care … so we have to ensure that the people who are here already have those services provided to them and that there is a decent standard of living.

“My duty is not to people in the rest of the world; my duty and my responsibility is the people who are here already.

“So, I’m passionate about looking after our own, clean up our own back yard first, and when we get it right then you can actually invite more people in because we are very fortunate with what we have in this country.”

Senator Hanson also responded to the students’ questions about allegations of racism.

“Criticism is not racism,” she explained. “My job is to assess issues, based on fact, and have an opinion.

“Everyone is entitled to an opinion – you may not be right, but you have a right to have an opinion – and then debate it.

“You will never solve the problems of this country if you are shut down because you want to speak outside the box.”

She spoke also of her meetings with the Bamaga Council in Torres Strait and with the traditional elders at Uluru, in the Northern Territory.

“Some people are actually hijacking the agenda and trying to be a voice for these Indigenous people, but they are not representing them,” she explained.

“And that is why, of all people, they’re coming to me, and I have their respect and gratitude, and I respect those people – I respect all Australians – it’s about working together and understanding each other.”

Senator Hanson scheduled the college visit soon after completing a stint on the HMAS Stirling submarine, which is based not far from the college, as part of the ADF Parliamentary Program.

She also joked about the “theft” of one of her life-size cardboard cut-outs from the Federal Election campaign, which is among the political paraphernalia that the students have on display in their classroom.

She happily autographed the cut-out to help enhance the students’ political collection.

Senator Hanson also met with the school’s principal, Francois Pienaar.

END

Pauline Hanson on Family Law

/in , /by

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I am very proud that I have played a role in highlighting the dire need for an all-encompassing inquiry of the Family Law and Child Support systems in Australia, and I thank the Prime Minister from the bottom of my heart for agreeing to give it the go-ahead.

An examination of this system is a need that I have pushed since first entering public life in 1996 and ramped that up further from my re-election as a senator in 2016.

This inquiry will be historic in that it will deliver the most comprehensive examination of the Family Law system in decades. 

It is a shame that Labor voted against this review, but I will leave it up to Labor MPs and Senators to explain their blunt opposition to their supporters who are suffering and actually need this review.

I am concerned that some self-interest groups are already trying to demean this vital investigation by suggesting I have an agenda or intend to show favouritism to certain sectors through the inquiry process. That suggestion is rubbish.

I have only one aim: 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.

Some commentators have suggested I will side with men in this review. That is also not true. Men and women, equally, reveal horror experiences created as a result of the Family Law system.

I do acknowledge that men are often unfairly disadvantaged and stigmatised in many family breakup situations, are often left without a voice and overlooked in favour of women’s rights; however, this review will listen to everyone.

It is true that there have been previous reviews, but all of those reviews were focussed on specific niche aspects of the Family Law and Child Support systems. This review will be unique in that it will look at the entire system; it is unhindered by tight terms of reference, short time-frames or geographical difficulties.

This review will welcome all opinions, all voices, all suggestions, from men and women from all cities and rural areas.

We need change to the Family Law system. We can only achieve that by putting aside political and philosophical differences and supporting a thorough, honest and open inquiry.

Kind regards

Pauline Hanson

Senator for Queensland

Leader of One Nation

END

Keep up to date with Senator Hanson by following her on Facebook and Twitter!

Learn more, get involved and join the One Nation movement!