One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has boasted about receiving a new private plane worth more than $1.5 million, gifted by mining magnate Gina Rinehart's associates. In a social media post directed at the Guardian, Hanson unveiled the Cirrus SR22 G7 aircraft, which can retail for about US$1.5 million (A$2.1 million), and thanked donors for their 'investment' in the party.
Hanson's post included a video showing giant novelty cheques and the unveiling of the plane. She thanked geologist Ian Plimer, an executive with Hancock Energy, and Adam Giles, head of Hancock Agriculture and former Northern Territory chief minister, for their contributions. Giles said the donation was about 'providing the wings for a movement that refuses to let the heart of this country be silenced'.
Hanson also thanked Angus and Sarah Aitken for a $1 million donation, calling them 'wonderful patriotic Australians'. The Aitkens were among former Liberal donors who switched support to One Nation after a fundraising dinner hosted by Rinehart on her mega-yacht in December.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers criticised the donation, saying 'Pauline Hanson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gina Rinehart' and that One Nation typically votes in Rinehart's interests rather than those of workers. Greens MP Steph Hodgins-May called for big money to be taken out of politics, stating 'a plane worth as much as the median Australian home doesn't come without strings attached'.
A spokesperson for Hancock Prospecting confirmed the aircraft was gifted to One Nation through one of Rinehart's companies, not from Rinehart personally. Guardian Australia has previously reported on Hanson's links to Rinehart, including failures to properly declare free flights on the magnate's private jet.
