Hanson highlights Minister McKenzie dairy industry conflict of interest

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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

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Hanson demands estimates “questions time” for crossbench senators

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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.

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Hanson notice highlights Greens’ conservation hypocrisy

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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.

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Pauline Hanson advises politics students to “think for themselves”

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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

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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

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Hi-vis vests, King Gees and boots? Pauline Hanson welcomes mineworkers to share Family Law experiences

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Media Release

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson has assured she will push for hearings for the Family Law Inquiry to be scheduled in every state and territory, including in some of Australia’s remote mining areas.

The assurance has been welcomed by West Australian MLC Robin Scott, whose electorate includes the mining City of Kalgoorlie Boulder, and includes family law issues as key recent concerns.

Senator Hanson wants to make sure key sectors of the working community are not overlooked and that they get convenient access to the listening ears of committee members when the historic inquiry begins.

“This issue impacts people in all walks of Australian life – it doesn’t discriminate – and mine workers are among sectors of society that have been hit very hard, both financially and emotionally, by the problems in the system,” Senator Hanson said.

“I want to make sure they are able to have a say – they can turn up in their high-vis shirts, King Gees and work boots, however they feel comfortable – but they must have that opportunity to express their views.

“I’ll be pushing hard to make sure hearings are scheduled in key mining regions because everyone needs to be heard and we will come to them.”

Some mineworkers say they feel like they are regarded as “milking cows”, being continually hit for more funds by their ex-partners because of the relatively high wages they might receive as a result of the hard labour that goes with their profession. They also often feel they have nowhere to turn due to the remoteness of many of their work sites.

One Nation’s Mr Scott, whose constituents include the workers in Kalgoorlie Boulder, is a strong advocate for those locals impacted by Family Law shortcomings.

Mr Scott acknowledged there were horror stories from both men and women, and the review would give everyone a chance to have a say.

He also noted the high attendance at a Family Law and Child Safety forum held in Mandurah, just near Perth, in August as indicating the readiness of the local community to respond to the historic review.

The Family Law Inquiry is the most comprehensive review of the Family Law and Child Support systems in decades. It will be made up of 10 members of parliament and senators and will invite submissions from the public in coming weeks.

ENDS

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Emotional Sen Hanson admits shedding tears at her Family Law inquiry success

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ONE NATION leader Pauline Hanson has revealed how she shed tears on the confirmation that her long awaited inquiry into Australia’s family Law system would go ahead.

Senator Hanson has pushed personally for the inquiry for the past three years, believing it to be the most important social matter facing Australia today.

She added that the news of the high-level and far-reaching review will actually go ahead will bring hope to hundreds of thousands of Australians who “are floundering” in such difficult situations.

“When I received confirmation that this inquiry into Australia’s Family Law system is going ahead, I actually cried,” Senator Hanson told journalist of the Canberra Press Gallery.

“I cried because I know the heartache that is felt by hundreds of thousands of Australians impacted by the shortcomings of the Family Law system, at a time when they are going through one of the most difficult challenges of their lives – creating normality after separation and divorce.

“I also cried because of the realisation of the hopethat this inquiry will finally bringto people who are floundering in these situations.”

Senator Hanson noted that past investigations had revealed that three men each day commit suicide and one woman each week is murdered, as a result of the stress and hardships of the Family Law and Child Support regime.

“Just imagine, over the weekend, while most of us were enjoying time with friends and family, an average six men took their own lives, and far too many women experienced serious family violence,” she noted.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t live with that on my conscience, and these deaths are only occurring because Governments have failed to listen and act on the broken family law system.”

Senator Hanson noted that the Joint Select Committee on Reform of Australia’s Family Law System “will delve into the various aspects that have been making life unbearable for so many people dealing with separation and the aftermaths”.

“It will investigate all aspects of the family law and child support regime – custody arrangements, the division of assets, the impact of decisions made at ‘judges’ discretion’; the costs of legal representation, the behaviour of lawyers who, at times, drag the matters out for their own financial gain; the well-being of children; access for grandparents and other family members, and more.”

Sen Hanson said she expected the inquiry to be conducted over the course of 12 months, with public hearings to be held across Australia, in both rural areas and cities.

“This inquiry will not be an easy one,” she said.

“It will be emotional; I can imagine that I will not be the only one shedding more tears – most often in private – as this process goes forward.

“I thank the Prime Minister for his support of this ground-breaking inquiry, and I encourage the media here today to provide its support as we journey through this huge and important task.

“My goal – with community, political and media support – is to totally rebuild and make a better, more-workable, family law system for separating and separated couples and their families.

“And for those who are in the midst of family breakdown, those contemplating suicide and facing potential family violence, I’m asking you to stop and know that you’ve finally been heard.

“I beg you, please give me a chance to try and make change.” 

END

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Pauline Hanson: More subsidised apprenticeships needed

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MEDIA RELEASE

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called for extra apprenticeship funding to add to Australia’s Regional Apprenticeship Program, along with some tweaking of guidelines, to help boost graduate numbers.

Places are particularly urgent in the electrical trade in Western Australia as numbers are in decline.

Senator Hanson negotiated an apprenticeship pilot program with The Australian Government, creating 1600 new subsidised apprenticeship places for regional Australians.

The program’s success has led to a further 1600 additional places being announced on July 1, to meet the countries growing demand for trainees and graduates in a number of trades.   

“The only way we reduce Australia’s reliance on overseas workers is to rebuild our own skilled workforce, using young Australian people,” Senator Hanson said.

“I’m very pleased that the Government agreed with my push for more apprenticeship places, but it’s no longer a pilot program and I’d like to see an extra zero added to the original number used in the trial.”

The comments follow a visit last month by a One Nation delegation to the National Electrical and Communications Association’s Western Australian apprenticeship training facility. One Nation’s WA leader Colin Tincknell led the delegation after Senator Hanson was a late withdrawal due to the flu.

NECA’s College of Electrical Training is the largest employer of electrical apprentices in Australia, with its apprentices regarded as being amongst the safest and best trained in the electro-technology industry.

But the college and the industry generally needs more funded training places to meet demand.

“Apprentice commencements in the electrical trade in Western Australia have been static and declining over the last couple of years; we’re not replacing the natural attrition in our industry, so, if we’re not careful, we’ll see a trade shortage within a couple of years and, with a four-year apprenticeship, that lag cycle will impact on the workforce,” Steve Hall, NECA’s GM of Training, said.

“It’s a wonderful start, but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to what we need; when you actually translate it out into actual apprenticeships that we can utilise, it worked out to maybe 16 or so for the electrical trade here in Western Australia, so we’ve got a long way to go.

“It’s a great start but we’d like to see a lot more places.”

Mr Hall also suggested support for mentoring, which he said had a huge impact on apprenticeship completion rates. He also suggested tailored incentives to encourage higher numbers of females, who traditionally enter apprenticeships a little older and therefore qualify for higher wages and fewer government support initiatives.

“Particularly novice learners as they’ve left school, enter a trade or an apprenticeship they often have those life issues, and having a mentor helps them get over those issues and allows them to complete their trade,” Mr Hall said.

“Often those programs only run for two years, so we never realise the true benefit of them, so it would be ideal if we’re going to fund a mentoring program, to fund it for at least the entire four-year program, that way we get a real longitudinal study and really see the results of providing mentoring for apprentices.

“Currently we have a female participation rate of between one-percent and three-percent; considering that over 50% of the population are female, we’re missing out on a lot of potential employees in our industry simply because we can’t attract them in.

“Whether it’s in the form of incentives to help the employees bridge that gap for the wages, or alternatively, maybe some concessions toward taxation or other things that allow the employer to not have to absorb the full cost of that wage increase by taking on a mature age person.”

The Regional Australia Apprenticeship Program secured by Senator Hanson sees the Federal Government pay 75% of the apprentice’s first year’s wage, followed by 50% in the second year and 25% in the third year.

END

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One Nation’s dire warning over proposed Qld timber industry changes

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MEDIA RELEASE

Senator Pauline Hanson has issued a dire warning over the Queensland Labor Government’s proposed changes to the timber clearing code, saying it will destroy the state’s hardwood industry.

The warning comes after Senator Hanson and fellow One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts attended a hardwood industry rally at Maryborough late last month (August 18).

“If we allow the State Government to continue down this destructive path, it will ruin the timber industry; it will shut down plantation owners, mills and the on-going employment that it creates,” Senator Hanson said bluntly.

The Queensland Labor Government is proposing changes to the clearing code that will greatly reduce the allowable harvest on private farms, who say the new laws are unworkable and will make harvesting unviable.

“A lot of these communities that have relied on the timber – like Maryborough – will feel the backlash if they start shutting down plantation owners,” Senator Hanson said.

“At the moment, they are saying you have to leave 150 stems – that is, trees – per hectare, and they’re wanting to increase that to 300 stems.

“That makes it too dense. It stops healthy growth of trees because they’re crowded, and, with that many trees on a hectare, it also means you can’t graze cattle because the grass won’t grow, so it’s just unproductive for people with plantations trying to grow trees.

“Farmers also can’t control the rubbish on the ground, which increases the risk of bushfire, so it’s an all-round negative impact, and One Nation will be totally opposing this.”

Many private landowners harvest timber to generate extra income, a practice that has helped new landowners get financially established, has helped keep farms viable during drought, and has helped fund local saw mills and jobs.

“The State Government is determined to shut down these private plantations and make them unviable, unworkable, and that’s their whole aim,” Senator Hanson said.

“This is the Labor party agenda, and the Greens agenda as well; there’s no rhyme or reason to it as far as I’m concerned.

“One other thing we need to be mindful of is: if we don’t produce timber here in Queensland, we will be looking at importing timber from other countries, and a lot of these countries will be actually felling their forests, being detrimental to the environment.

“It’s the most renewable resource we have; shutting it down is not the answer.”

END

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Pauline Hanson’s surprise visit to the Jolly Rogers Fishing Club

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When the owner of the Jolly Rogers Op Shop at Rockhampton was told there as a surprise visitor waiting in the showroom, he had no idea it would be arguably one of his most favourite public figures.

He emerged from his back office, where he had been hosting an informal mens help group, to see Australia’s most recognisable politician – Pauline Hanson – had dropped in to see him, unannounced.

In his shock and excitement, he let slip with a few “French words”, before he threw his arms around the popular senator and gave her a huge hug.

Senator Pauline Hanson gets a hug from Neill of the Jolly Rogers Fishing Club in Rockhampton.
Senator Pauline Hanson gets a hug from Neill of the Jolly Rodgers Fishing Club

“Pauline Hanson. Wow!” Neill said.

But the visit was well deserved and Senator Hanson was more than happy to add the drop-in to her busy Rockhampton schedule.

“I heard about you, and all the great work you’re doing,” the One Nation Senator said with a smile.

It didn’t take long and a crowd had gathered, in amongst the racks of well-priced clothing, homewares, books and bric-a brac that helps fund some amazing charity work.

Neill and his partner Steph are the driving forces behind the Jolly Rogers Fishing Club, a multi-faceted charity that manages various projects and is literally changing the lives of the needy and the homeless.

The group regularly scours the Fitzroy River in their tinnies to fish out the various rubbish from the waterway – they’ve collected many tonnes of junk, even once pulling out an old car body. Their work also includes clean-up trips out to the Great Barrier Reef.

And while that is their main work, that’s not all!

They also personally prepare around 1800 meals a month to feed the Rockhampton homeless, they give away clothing, food and other items to those in need. They prepare Sisters of Mercy health packs to be given to homeless women.

They also hold informal catch-ups in their shop to support the struggling men of the community and help anyone who needs help with documentation or filling out forms.

“Some can’t read, some can’t write, the progress some people have made in this community is amazing.”

The couple’s work is primarily funded by collecting bottles and cans that are returned for refund – members of the public are also invited to give their bottles and cans to further help support the work. Local residents donate food, and fishermen donate fresh fish toward the homeless meals.

To learn the backstory of the amazing couple adds further to the amazing achievement.

The pair have themselves both been homeless, with Neill living for many years in a park in Brisbane.

Steph and Neill of the Jolly Rogers Op Shop at Rockhampton and the Jolly Rogers Fishing Club with supporters and Senator Pauline Hanson.
Steph and Neill of the Jolly Rogers Op Shop at Rockhampton and the Jolly Rogers Fishing Club, with supporters and Senator Pauline Hanson.

“We’ve both come from that background and we’ve both created something pretty cool here,” Steph said.

“I was homeless, I definitely lived a lot on the streets in my younger years, so, with all the issues that I faced when I was on the streets I just want to be able to give back. We want to fill the gap.”

But that isn’t the whole story. Neill suffered a serious head injury when he was a fisherman and could have virtually been left wasting away.

“Neill was in a vegetable state three years ago, we went through all the rehab centres and all the clinics in Darwin and they wanted to make him a ward of the state and put him on quite heavy drugs,” Steph explained.

“So I refused completely.

“I did my own research, focussed on muscle memory, and when we got Neill back on his feet, walking and talking, I thought, ‘Well, let’s  just go and do what we’re passionate about, so that’s led us to where we are now.

“This is all part of Neill’s rehabilitation.”

The couple’s food rounds has an interesting twist – the homeless don’t get fed unless their area where they live is clean and tidy, a proviso that has had interesting flow on advantages.

“It’s like an exchange – food for tidy areas,” Steph explained.

“So now they have a routine; we rock up, they know we’re coming, and they’ve got so much rubbish collected, the area is so clean, and the Council is also off their backs.

“And the people living on the riverbank are now coming and joining the river clean, so it’s now given them an entry into the wider community.”

One man had lived on the riverbank for 15 years but was able to turn his life around.

“He went to an alcohol rehab centre, he’s now brought his family in from the community, his kids are going to school, they’re all clothed and he’s now working as a manager out at the meatworks,” Steph said.

“This is the goal; this is what keeps us going every day.”

Senator Hanson learned of the couple and their amazing good work when she was approached by Cameron, the owner of Jolt coffee shop in central Maryborough, and she had no hesitation of adding the unplanned drop-in to her schedule.

While there, she chatted with Neill and Steph, mingled with members in the store, and joined in for a group photo.

“I’m really impressed by your work, you’re doing a great service to this community,” she said.

The couple admit they are big fans of Senator Hanson, particularly supportive of her willingness to speak out on injustices, to say what people are thinking, and to stand up for those in need.

“Pauline’s visit has made my year, actually made my three years we’ve been doing this work,” Steph said.

“I hardly slept last night. I just had so many emotions going through me.”

Senator Hanson is encouraging the community to support the work of the Jolly Rogers Fishing Club by dropping off their refundable bottles and cans at the op shop, at 179 Musgrave Street, Rockhampton.

END

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