Media release | Pauline Hanson urges public input into Medicare card photo inquiry.

/in , /by

Hanson urges public input into Medicare card photo inquiry.

20/08/2019

Senator Pauline Hanson is encouraging the public to submit their views to an inquiry investigating whether we need photo identification printed on our Medicare cards.

A Bill to add the extra security measure to the plastic cards has been put forward by Sen Hanson and One Nation to reduce cases of fraud in the health system and make significant savings to the health budget.

The Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs is holding an inquiry into the Bill, with the public invited to make submissions to that investigation.

Senator Hanson believes it is just too easy to commit fraud against the Commonwealth – with taxpayers bearing the cost – due to the simplicity of the card.

“Our Medicare cards are just a small bit of green plastic, with some text and numbers, but no security features,” Sen Hanson said.

“The identity of the ‘card holder’ can be easily faked due to that one big glaring shortcoming – no photo to help identify that the user of the card is actually the rightful owner.

“It’s easily used by someone who doesn’t actually own the card and who isn’t entitled to taxpayer-funded benefits.

“It is a practice that is costing Australia’s strapped health services and budget generally.”

Sen Hanson noted the plain Medicare cards could be used by family members, friends, as well as the 60,000-plus visa over-stayers who are not entitled to access Australia’s health services.

The cards can also be used as identification to set up bank loans, sign up for phone plans, apply for credit cards under a false name, registering a business and even buying or renting property.

“It’s quite a surprise really – in this era of security-consciousness, where almost every major business and government service provider requires you to satisfy several security questions and provide multiple items to prove your identity – that we do not yet in Australia have photos on our Medicare cards,” Sen Hanson said.

“We have photos on our driver’s licences, photos in our passports, university student cards and similar, all for security and identification purposes, and it makes sense to also have photos on our Medicare cards.

“Australia has left the entire Medicare bulk billing system vulnerable to abuse. It really is time for some serious action.”

Senator Hanson supports the Senate Committee inquiry into her Bill, to substantiate the extent of the misuse of Medicare cards and the cost to Australia.

Submissions to the inquiry must be lodged by August 30, to be followed by public hearings in September. The committee’s final report is scheduled to be tabled on October 16.

Details for making submissions are available here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/MedicarePhotoID

***END***

Emotive family law forum further fuels One Nation’s enquiry push

/in /by

MEDIA RELEASE

16/08/2019

 

An emotive public forum hosted by One Nation outside Perth has helped further expose the inconsistencies of Australia’s struggling family law system, and added further fuel to the party’s push for a national inquiry into the sector.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says the situation is desperate for many broken families whose struggles are not properly addressed by a legal system that is supposed to make their lives easier during difficult times.

“The family law and child support system has deteriorated to a point that it is becoming unworkable – it is making life unbearable for many fathers, mothers and, most concerning, their children who are particularly vulnerable during these emotional times,” Senator Hanson said.

“Broken families are struggling to negotiate what has become a minefield of confusion, inconsistency, administrative failures and errors, unfair and damaging court rulings, crippling legal and child support costs, a lack of compassion from key players, and more.

“The system is contributing to ruining people, causing health and mental health problems, extreme financial distress, suicides, and psychologically-damaged children – it is supposed to help these people, not make their lives worse.

“Sadly, up to now there has been a lack of political will to fix this mess; it is time for the Government to give the green light to my call for a Joint Select Committee on Reform of Australia’s Family Law System – we need a wide-reaching and thorough investigation, with everyone’s input, so we can come up with solutions and formulate positive change.”

Around 200 people attended the “Family Law and Child Support Community Forum”, held in Mandurah and hosted by One Nation’s member of Western Australia’s Legislative Council, Colin Tincknell.

“There are too many people impacted negatively each year by the family law hardships – one murder every week and three suicides a day,” Mr Tincknell told guests at the event.

“It is an emotional issue, most people in this room feel that pain. What we are trying to do is create a momentum – both state-wide and federally – so we can make legislative changes.

“So, my leader in the Federal Parliament, Senator Hanson, is going to need your support and many other people, and we’re going to try to convince other politicians to make the changes that are needed.”

Guest speakers at the forum included Mr Tincknell, One Nation’s Robin Scott MLC, former WA Law reform Commissioner Prof Augusto Zimmermann and family law experts. Keynote speaker Senator Hanson was a late withdrawal due to the flu, but had her speech delivered at the forum on her behalf. She aims to reschedule a visit to the community in coming months.

Guests at the forum revealed some of the horror stories that have impacted their dealings with the family law system:

One man said he was ordered to pay child support equal to 200% of his annual income, leaving him close to destitute.

Another spoke of a seven-year-old girl so traumatised by her experiences that she planned to commit suicide  in the hope she would be reborn “like in a video game, and everything would be okay”.

One attendee queried why his partner could breach court agreements or fail to turn up at hearings and face no threat of reprimand, yet he felt no similar leniency.

Several spoke of being accused of false abuses that never occurred or being slapped with Violence Restraining Orders for the most menial of matters, at times resulting in criminal convictions that further complicated their lives.

Others spoke of being denied time with their children, even though they contributed considerable child support payments.

Senator Hanson has a number of personal reforms that were outlined at the forum:

  • A review of child support, to ensure it is a fair amount that is calculated by considering the needs of the children, but also ensures it is not a crushing amount for the payee – usually the male;
  • Mandatory 50/50 child access for both parents, which is vital to minimise negative impacts on the children. The only alleviating factors would be if one of the ex-partners has a serious criminal record, if one of the ex-partners has a drug offences record, or if there is a Domestic Violence order in place;
  • The introduction of limits on legal costs to ensure those involved are better able to get on with their lives financially after their legal matters are finalised, and to reduce instances of lawyers deliberately dragging out the proceedings to inflate their incomes;
  • Better resourcing of the Family Court to improve efficiencies and reduce stressful drawn-out court hearings, including more funding, more judges and staff;
  • Registrars to be able to oversee early court mentions, rather than wasting valuable time waiting for judges to make basic decisions on simple procedural matters.

Other points raised at the forum included: cancelling the child support system altogether, recognition that the child support system provided a financial incentive to lodge false abuse allegations, that criminal charges (other than perjury) should be introduced for false allegations of violence or abuse from ex-partners, and the need for improved professional support to address children’s psychological needs.

Senator Hanson’s request for the establishment of the Joint Select Committee on Reform of Australia’s Family Law System is currently being considered by Attorney General Christian Porter.

“I have received support for that committee request from all sides of politics – from Labor members and from Coalition members – so it’s clear that there is a general consensus that this should be investigated and something should be done about it,” Sen Hanson said.

“For a long time, politicians haven’t been interested, lawyers are not interested, it’s too difficult an issue for many in the media so they’re not interested, but meantime hundreds of thousands of families are crumbling.

“Most of those impacted by family break-up who have had to endure the Family Law system in Australia would have some suggestions on where and how the system can be improved.

“If we manage to get 200 needy people to a forum in a small Western Australian community to discuss this issue, it shows just how enormous this need could be across all of Australia.”

Mr Tincknell and fellow Western Australia One Nation representative Robin Scott MLC are also pushing to establish a similar Western Australia Legislative Council Select Committee to investigate the Western Australian Family Court.

The Family Law and Child Support Community Forum identified overwhelmingly that there was a need in the community to initiate change to the family law system in Australia. The event was at times rowdy and emotional, which further highlighted the belief that the issue was ripe for high-level review and changes.

As one attendee called out: “All of us have been through hell at many levels; we’re not angry, we’re exhausted.”

 

END

Senators Hanson and Roberts to visit Coulston Lakes, Biggenden, Maryborough

/in /by

MEDIA RELEASE

16/08/2019

 

One Nation senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts are looking forward to interacting with hundreds of residents in Maryborough, Biggenden and Coulston Lakes in a wide-ranging visit to the region this weekend.

In a busy schedule, the senators will meet with the Coulston Lakes Irrigation Group on Friday afternoon, enjoy a pub meal with local businesspeople on Friday night, participate in judging various events at the Biggenden Campdraft at Brooweena on Saturday, and then, on Sunday, they’ll attend the National Vietnam Veterans Day breakfast with Maryborough RSL and meet representatives of the local timber industry at Maryborough.

“There is a lot happening in the Maryborough region, a lot of concerns that need to be brought to the attention of Queensland and federal leaders, and Malcolm and I are looking forward to meeting as many people as possible, enjoying the region’s hospitality but also listening and learning about the issues impacting the people and businesses in the region,” Senator Hanson said.

“It’s really important to me as One Nation’s national leader that we keep speaking to people around Australia to be fully aware of all the issues, it helps us keep our focus on the things that are important to the people that matter most – everyday Australians.”

The One Nation senate duo will discuss the key issues impacting regional lifestyles and the local economy – among them, the desperate need for a reliable water supply for the fertile farms in Coulston Lakes, challenges to businesses and employment in the region, concerns with Queensland forestry laws that are impacting negatively on the incomes of farming families and saw mills.

“These issues are having a devastating impact on local families and their livelihoods, employment and the economy, so we want to listen to the locals as they will have the ideas that will benefit their communities,” Senator Roberts said.

“These decisions need to come from the people who live in these communities, not from Brisbane and Canberra.

“Senator Hanson and myself are really keen to meet and talk to as many people as possible, so, if you see us at the campdraft or around town, make sure you drop by and say hello.”

 

END

Marlborough township ignored by Defence Department, says Senator Pauline Hanson

/in /by

Media Release

7/8/19

Senator Pauline Hanson is disappointed that a request for billboards to help direct tourists to the struggling Central Queensland town of Marlborough has been ignored by the Defence Department.

The townspeople themselves say they are “disgusted” that their livelihoods are to be virtually relegated to the local museum.

The Department has bought considerable swathes of land around the town, as part of its $900-million investment in the area for a joint Singapore-Australia military initiative and the Shoalwater Bay training facility.

Sen Hanson wrote to Defence Minister Linda Reynolds to advise that the land buy-up had caused a drop in clientele at Marlborough businesses, and to request it, at least, erect billboards on the nearby Bruce Highway to help direct more people to the town.

“I can’t understand why the Government won’t agree to this initiative and help this community restore its economic future,” Sen Hanson said.

“This is a small expenditure when you consider the $900-million allocated to this project, and it will make a difference to this community.”

Comments in a visitor’s book at the local Marlborough Convenience Store echoed the requests:

“Awesome friendly town; great little café with real service,” one visitor wrote. “I wish it was sign-posted and promoted better; I would have been long before now.”

Another traveller added: “What a beautiful town. There should be more signage on the Bruce to alert people to the location and the facilities. Had a wonderful lunch, now off to a museum.”

However, Minister Reynolds responded to Senator Hanson’s request by outlining that a number of local companies had been awarded contracts for work in the area and 75 ongoing jobs would be created in the central Queensland region.

She made no mention of the billboard request.

Ms Reynolds noted that much of the purchased land was still leased by graziers, but Sen Hanson said that hasn’t stopped the fall in customers.

“The small business owners in Marlborough are the innocent victims of the Defence Department’s big plans, so it seems only right that a relatively small portion of that massive amount of money gets directed to a project that can counteract that problem,” Sen Hanson said.

Marlborough residents said they’ve been left in the dark by the Department about the project and were unhappy with offers to ensure the history of acquired properties would be “captured” for the local museum’s collections.

“We’re disgusted that our livelihoods and lifestyles are being confined to a museum. It’s an insult,” one community member said.

*END*

Senator Hanson slams Senate rejection of income-splitting for Australian couples

/in /by

Media release

1/08/2019

Senator Pauline Hanson has slammed those who voted against a policy that she believes would have delivered a positive and significant change to family taxation.

The Senator proposed that married couples should be able to choose whether to lodge separate income tax returns or whether they should be allowed to lodge a joint return, thereby utilising income-splitting.

However, the proposal was voted down by a narrow 32 to 32, with Senator Jacqui Lambie, the Centre Alliance, the Greens and Labor voting against the idea.

“It’s unbelievable that these people claim to support families, and recognise the hardships they go through, yet they vote against a proposal that will help improve their situation,” Sen Hanson said.

“Maybe it’s just too complex an idea for them to comprehend, so they took the safe option and voted ‘no’ – it’s a shame that ordinary mums and dads are again the losers.”

The proposal was flagged by Senator Hanson on Wednesday, in a Notice of Motion that called “on the Senate to debate or have a senate inquiry into the benefits of giving married couples the option to prepare and file joint income returns and income splitting.”

The proposal would see the couple’s total income split between the two of them, giving access to two tax free thresholds and potentially placing the couple in a lower tax bracket.

“It gives people a choice about how they pay their tax, it helps families by helping them save on tax and on childcare costs, for example, and it subsequently helps strengthen the family unit,” Sen Hanson said.

“We can make it easier for stay-at-home parents to choose to look after their own kids, not having children come home to an empty house because both parents are at work, which is important for our society.”

Under the proposal, couples would have had the option to choose which mechanism they believe will be best for them.

“Unfortunately, good ideas like that, that will make a positive difference to ordinary Australian families, are ignored by those on the left, who are more intent on throwing stumbling blocks in front of everyday Australians than supporting initiatives that would make their lives better,” Sen Hanson said.

Income splitting is in place in various forms in the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and Portugal.

Here’s how the income-splitting proposal would work:

Case A

Partner 1: nil income

Partner 2: $100,000

If they file separate tax returns, partner 1 will pay $23,717

If they file joint returns, they will pay $13,434 total tax

Tax saving: $10,283

 

Case B

Partner 1: $37,000

Partner 2: $100,000

If they file separate tax returns, they will pay $27,289 total tax

If they file jointly, they’ll pay $20,460 tax

Tax saving: $6829

 

* END *

Reduce farmers’ asset test restrictions for assistance, says Senator Hanson

/in /by

Media Release

31/07/2019

Senator Pauline Hanson has called for water access licences and key farming equipment to be quarantined from asset testing for Commonwealth support payments for struggling farmers.

The total value of assets that prevent farmers accessing the Farm Household Allowance was permanently lifted from $2.6-million to $5-million by the Parliament this week.

However, Senator Hanson suggested that assets that are vital to farming should not be included in calculations for the total farm assets value.

“Farmers are looking at an absolute minimum $150,000 or $250,000 for a decent tractor or similar farming equipment; and water licences, especially in time of drought, can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Senator Hanson said.

“These assets are vital for earning a living on the land, but they often don’t help put food on the table or pay the bills during droughts and they will also very easily push the farmer above the asset limit to claim the support payments during times of need.”

The assets test currently excludes the family home on the property plus up to two hectares of surrounding land, but it forces farmers to include assets like farming land, water resources and water access rights, livestock, crops, and plant or equipment.

Senator Hanson also questioned the “four cumulative years” for which farmers could access the support payments, suggesting it should instead be unlimited, given that some farmers have endured drought for eight continuous years or more.

“We don’t put time limits on Australians who claim Newstart and we don’t put restrictions on pensioners with regard to their pensions, so why should we put time limitations, period, on farmers who are dealing with drought conditions and need support in that time of need?”

Senator Hanson spoke on the issue in the Senate. She hoped the Minister would consider her suggestions.

Link to bills digest for Farm Household Support Amendment Bill 2019: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1920a/20bd008

* END *

More coverage needed for Peninsula Development Road

/in /by

MEDIA RELEASE

19 July 2019

Following a 3000-kilometre road trip from Ipswich to Bamaga, Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson has identified a need to accelerate the installation of new mobile phone base stations on the Peninsula Development Road and improve much-needed coverage.

The One Nation leader has written to the Minister for Communications, Mark Fletcher and identified Bramwell Station, Archer River Roadhouse and Musgrave Roadhouse as priorities due to the forecast increase in visitor numbers of up to 77% by 2020 and a constant breakdown of public phone boxes.

Senator Hanson said, “Mobile coverage is essential in remote locations that encounter hazardous flooding and accidents involving wildlife and other vehicles.”

“I’ve spoken to the operators at Archer River, Musgrave and Bramwell Station, and each of them has told me that coin jams can leave a public phone box out of action for weeks on end until a technician comes up from Cairns to clear the problem.”

The Queensland Senator has suggested converting mobile black spot payphones to free phones that would keep tourists and travellers in contact with family and friends while removing the need for technicians to drive up to 800 kilometres for coin mechanism repairs.

“When you can sign up to an unlimited phone plan for $55 a month and make as many local, STD and mobile calls as you like, I tend to think this would be a cheaper option than sending a technician on a day’s drive to dislodge a few coins stuck in a phone box,” Senator Hanson said.

While the Federal Government have named Archer River Roadhouse and Musgrave Roadhouse as a part of their Round 4 priorities, coverage will only be provided to Optus customers.

“I’ll be speaking with the new Communications Minister over the next fortnight regarding the need to share vital infrastructure amongst all mobile providers in remote locations, along with the need to expedite the installation of new mobile towers in these three Tropical North Queensland locations,” Senator Hanson said.

Senator Hanson has committed to revisit the region within the next 12 months and help provide a stronger voice to Far North Queensland regions often ignored by politicians.

END

One Nation wants Government to prioritise nation building projects.

/in /by

MEDIA RELEASE

June 10, 2019

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has indicated she is not sold on the Government’s $144 billion dollar tax cut plans ahead of Parliament resuming on July 2 and therefore not likely to support the measures.

Instead, Senator Hanson has listed three priorities she hopes the Government will green light ahead of the proposed cuts to bolster the nation’s economy.

Senator Hanson said, “What modest tax cuts middle to high-income earners will receive over the short term will only be chewed up by the increased cost of living expenses like power and water.”

“If this Government is serious about reducing the cost of living and building visionary infrastructure for all Australians, I’m suggesting they use up to $25 billion of the $144 billion dollars set aside for proposed tax cuts and build the Hybrid Bradfield Scheme and at least one new HELE coal-fired power station.”

“The Government can use delaying tactics like calling for feasibility studies all they like, but I’ll ask them, how feasible is a nation without adequate power and water?”

“I have been determined to drought-proof this country for more than 23 years and I strongly believe the people of Australia gave One Nation the shared balance-of-power responsibility to ensure this Government starts constructing nation-building projects.”

Senator Hanson has also been calling for a Royal Commission into Family Law after successfully lobbying the Turnbull Government to announce a comprehensive review into family law in 2017. It was the first review to be held since the Family Law Act was introduced in 1976.

“We have a very real problem that most politicians are choosing to ignore when it comes to Family Law. I find it outrageous to think this Government and previous have allowed the suicide rate of men and the murder of women to continue to grow because of a broken family law system,” Senator Hanson said.

“If there are three things I want to achieve before leaving Parliament, the Government now know what they are.”

END

ONE NATION CAMPAIGN BEGINS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

/in /by

Media Release

15 April 2019

One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson has been cleared by doctors to hit the campaign trail after a nasty encounter with a paralysis tick on her face and emergency surgery after a perforated appendix, all within
two weeks of one another.

First stop is South Australia with One Nation senate candidate Jennifer Game.

The South Australian climate science graduate and holder of a tax law degree heads One Nation’s senate team and believes after the 2016 federal election result, the party can knock the Greens out of
contention for the final South Australia senate position.

Senator Hanson said, “South Australia has experienced a shortage of baseload electricity and water as a result of crazy Green / Labor policies that have seen the states manufacturing, businesses and households
paying the highest global price for power.”

“The state has a desalination plant running at 2% capacity because power prices are too high which is placing a greater drain on the Murray Darling and the communities that rely on the much-needed water.”

Senator Hanson believes South Australia must cut the cord with neighbouring states who supply the bulk of its baseload power and build a new High-Efficiency, Low-Emissions (HELE) power plant that will
service the needs of the state and resurrect manufacturing.

“You’ve lost the car industry, Coca-Cola has moved their bottling operations to Queensland and there’s no sign of investors willing to set up businesses in South Australia.”

Senator Hanson will today visit Murray Bridge, Loxton, Berri, and Renmark, with further stops planned for Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Lincoln and the Gawler region later this week.

END

 

Pauline Hanson’s Election Promise

/in /by

MEDIA RELEASE

APRIL 11, 2019

With an election now called for May 18, Pauline Hanson is suggesting voters take out insurance by voting for One Nation, the only party promising to hold the major parties to account.

Senator Hanson said, “This country has been crying out for a solution to drought and I have given my commitment to the people of Australia that if One Nation continues to hold the balance of power after this election, we will build the hybrid Bradfield Water Scheme and drought-proof much of the country, while solving the issue of water for the Murray Darling.”

The One Nation party have shared the balance-of-power for the past term of parliament, ensuring legislation was judged on merit and not sleazy backroom deals.

Senator Hanson said, “I’ve kept an open door policy with all sides of politics these past few years and, despite who puts legislation forward, I’ve always taken the time to judge it on the basis of whether it is right for the people of this country or not.”

The One Nation leader took a principled stance on rejecting the coalitions tax cuts for larger businesses with turnovers exceeding annual earnings of $50 million, yet supported tax cuts for smaller family businesses and workers across the country.

“One Nation has ensured the Morrison Government maintained a strong economy by rejecting their wasteful $45 billion dollar handout for banks, multinationals, and businesses that don’t pay their fair share of tax in this country,” Senator Hanson said.

“It’s One Nation who started the debate over issues the major parties refuse to speak about. Issues like immigration, foreign ownership, water, electricity prices, climate change, safe schools, and political correctness. If we weren’t there to give both sides of politics a clip under the ear from time to time, the country would be a broke basket case.”

One Nation uncovered the misconduct of our banks in a parliamentary inquiry into the lending practices to farmers, chaired by Queensland senate frontrunner Malcolm Roberts. That inquiry very quickly led to the Banking Royal Commission.

“We have achieved so many outcomes for Australian’s across this country. We have dealt with thousands of little issues that people are just so grateful to have resolved, but also had significant wins including the 1600 apprenticeship positions for regional Australia,” Senator Hanson said

“One Nation saved the sugar industry with a code of conduct, kept the Moora College in WA open, helped secure over $200 million for a much needed water pipeline to prevent Townsville going dry again, achieved a $8.9 million emergency centre for Ipswich, obtained $5 million for the driver training facility in North Queensland and stopped farmers having forced buyouts of their land for the sake of the Singapore Army.”

“The people of Australia are tired of the two major parties not listening to their needs and instead only looking after big business and party donors.”

One Nation has also successfully shared the balance-of-power in the Western Australian state parliament with two other minor parties.

“The Labor Premier of Western Australia and Coalition Prime Minister have both acknowledged they’ve had a good working relationship with One Nation and have continued to achieve positive outcomes for the country,” Senator Hanson said.

“There’s not a great deal of common sense left in politics these days, so I’m pleased to see One Nation keeping a finger on the pulse and standing up for the issues that matter to everyday Australians.

One Nation will run candidates in both Senate and Lower House seats across the country with Senator Hanson warning both major parties to expect her in towns they refuse to visit.

***END***