Pauline Hanson angry after Labor grants China Qld Health milk contract over local dairies

/in , /by
MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is demanding Queensland’s Labor Government overturn its decision to grant a major hospital milk contract to two questionable overseas suppliers while ignoring award-winning local firm Maleny Dairies.

Senator Hanson is ropeable that such a major contract has gone overseas, despite the Queensland Government spruiking a “buy locally” initiative for much of 2019.

“This is absolute hypocrisy from Premier Palaszczuk, who will happily send taxpayer funds to multinationals Lactalis and Lions, who pay negligible tax in Australia, when we have one of the best milk providers in the nation right here in south east Queensland,” Senator Hanson said.

“Queensland Labor’s decision is bordering on treasonous. It’s beyond belief. Labor is behaving like a government that doesn’t care about Queensland or have the best interests of Queenslanders at heart. Labor would rather fund jobs in France and China.

“Maleny Dairies is ready and able to fulfil the contract of up to 15,000 litres for local hospitals; it is a solid award-winning Queensland company that has created jobs and supports locals by buying directly from farmers around the state’s south east.

“Bizarrely, Queensland Health asked Maleny Dairies to make sure they lodged a tender, even though they made it clear they couldn’t compete on price, and here they are losing out to the overseas companies.

“I’m calling on the Labor Government to do the right thing, overturn the hospital milk contract and give it instead to a local provider; come on Premier, follow your own promotions, support local jobs, and put Queensland businesses first.”

The milk contract involved providing between 11,000 and 15,000 litres of milk products each week to Prince Charles Hospital, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Gympie Hospital, and a number of smaller hospitals.

Lions was recently purchased by Chinese company Mengniu Dairy, which is part-owned by the Chinese Government. From 2013 to 2017, Lions earned $12.5billion in Australia and paid just $186m in tax, equal to a tax rate of 1.48%. Meantime, French company Lactalis (formerly Parmalat), earned $6.4billion in Australia from 2013-2017, and paid just $43million in tax, or 0.67% tax.

Mengniu was also involved in the melamine scandal in 2008, in which melamine was added to baby formula in China to falsely increase the protein content of the product. Six babies died as a result and more than 50,000 babies were hospitalised.

Lactalis was accused last year of trying to hurry Australian farmers to sign milk supply contracts that payed them less than the cost of production, in the hope of circumventing the new Mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct that came into force on January 1.

“Lactalis is not a reputable company in my view, which is further reason to reverse this decision and look for a local company,” Senator Hanson said.

“Perhaps Maleny Dairies missed out because it’s located in blue ribbon territory and not in a Labor-held seat. If the company was located in Inala, I suspect the outcome might have been different.

“Queensland’s dairy industry continues to struggle – we have one farmer leaving the industry each week – and decisions like this milk contract suggests Labor is happy to let that happen.

“This whole thing has the stench of political manoeuvring, they aren’t making decisions in the best interests of Queensland.

“Labor is just as bad as the Liberals and their pork barrelling of sports funds prior to the federal election.

“I’d like to know what are the benefits for Queensland by giving this milk contract to overseas companies.

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!

REGIONAL QUEENSLAND SAYS NO TO 2032 BRISBANE OLYMPICS

/in , /by
MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson wasted no time over Christmas, devising a campaign blitz that will attack the Queensland Labor Government and Prime Minister Scott Morrison over their joint bid to secure the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

The Queensland Senator has labelled the Olympics bid as “irresponsible” after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk conceded she did not know how much the event would actually cost the debt-laden Queensland economy.

“The feedback I’m getting from everyday Queenslanders is that they’re not interested in hosting the Olympics, and instead would prefer the money be spent on drought proofing the state first and foremost,” Senator Hanson said.

The One Nation advertising campaign will cover at least 50 billboards across Queensland with a simple message to voters and politicians: “2032 Brisbane Olympics, regional Queensland says NO”.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Scott Morrison proved they have lost touch with everyday Queenslanders by deciding to sign off on bidding for this event,” Senator Hanson said.

“Stuff spending tens of billions on stadiums and entertainment centres across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast – the people want water projects like a hybrid version of the Bradfield Scheme so that towns right across Queensland don’t run dry ever again.

“Why is it that Labor and the LNP have a 12-year plan for the Olympics, yet no 5-year, 10-year or 20-year plan for water? It beggars belief.”

The United Kingdom’s University of Oxford conducted a study into “Cost and Cost Overrun at the Games” between 1960 – 2016 which revealed the Summer Olympics have the highest average cost overrun of any type of mega-project at 176% in real terms.

“There’s not a single modern Olympics that has run under budget and in effect, Annastacia Palaszczuk and Scott Morrison have written the Olympic committee a blank cheque,” Senator Hanson said.

“It seems this duo is more interested in funding wasteful glamour projects that feed their pride and build their egos, rather than directing money to projects that will build the economy and make life better for everyday Queenslanders and perhaps other states.

“The decision to chase the Olympics, despite having no idea about the costs, while ignoring the many other desperate needs of the people, is irresponsible, selfish and shows an extreme lack of leadership from both Annastacia Palaszczuk and Scott Morrison.

“I have written to Scott Morrison and told him to abandon this ill-conceived idea and I commit to the people of Queensland that if One Nation has any say after the next state election, we will pull the Olympics bid ourselves.”

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 supports bushfire royal commission

/in , /by
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

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

/in , /by
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

This release has been distributed to media outlets in the Canberra Press Gallery and around Australia.

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 honours the men of Australia

/in , /by
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

This release has been distributed to media outlets in the Canberra Press Gallery and around Australia.

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

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



Statement on Supporting Integrity

/in , /by
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

/in , /by
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

/in , /by

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

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

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

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

/in , /by
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

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

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

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

/0 Comments/in , /by
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

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

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