One Nation will move its national headquarters to a multimillion-dollar Brisbane office building bought by mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, a move defended by MP Barnaby Joyce as a commercial arrangement.
Commercial lease defended
Joyce said the party would pay the market rate to rent the space from Rinehart's property investment company, Hanrine, and claimed there would be no discounted rates. "I don't live in her [Gina's] pocket," Joyce told News24. "It's her building, it's her lease. We're leasing it off her at commercial rates."
"If … we've got an individual who's got money, they should be allowed to spend it as they see fit," he added.
Property purchase details
Hanrine finalised the purchase of the three-storey office in the Brisbane suburb of Spring Hill last week, according to Queensland property titles, as first reported by The Australian on Monday. The party's headquarters will relocate there from its Brisbane airport office once a re-fit is complete.
The office is believed to be valued at about $8 million, according to The Australian. Property data shows it was last sold for $2.4 million in 2003.
Party funding and rules
Joyce said One Nation would pay for the office space out of the party's own funds. Under parliamentary business resources rules, the commonwealth only pays for office space for elected officials, not political parties. "We can put on the taxpayers' ticket but we don't," Joyce said. "We always make sure we pay for things ourselves as best we can in One Nation."
A spokesperson for Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting said: "Hancock Prospecting holds a range of commercial property, and this building is one of them. Hancock is not providing free or discounted space to any outside tenant, political or otherwise." Guardian Australia has contacted One Nation for a response.
Building features and context
The building is described in a real estate listing as having "two upper levels of spacious, light-filled office accommodation, complemented by a stunning top-floor balcony offering expansive views of the city, perfect for corporate gatherings". The ground level "provides a boutique office, showroom and retail space, all connected via an internal lift and direct access to 10 secure onsite car parks".
The listing adds: "The building provides quick and convenient access to the Brisbane CBD and Golden Triangle, while being perfectly positioned within the rapidly evolving inner-city precinct of Spring Hill, which is undergoing significant gentrification."
Pauline Hanson's relationship with Rinehart has been the subject of the Guardian's podcast The Populist, which details numerous instances when the senator and her party have received gifts or benefits. Guardian Australia revealed last month that Hanson and Joyce stayed overnight at Rinehart's $20 million Brisbane mansion in April after fundraising events. Joyce told News24 on Monday he hadn't spoken to Rinehart in six months.
The reporting also revealed that Hanson has been using one of Rinehart's bodyguards for personal security, and One Nation has committed multiple breaches of Senate rules by failing to declare flights gifted by Hancock Prospecting to Hanson. In April, Rinehart gifted Hanson a private plane worth more than $1.5 million. Hanson has said she considers Rinehart an unofficial policy adviser to her and One Nation.
