In a dramatic political theatre that has captivated Westminster, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson shared an intimate dinner with former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce just hours after being suspended from the Senate for wearing a burqa into Parliament.
A Controversial Evening Meal
The Monday night encounter took place in Hanson's Canberra office, where the controversial politician reportedly cooked Wagyu steak using a sandwich press alongside creamy potato gratin and fresh pasta salad. The pair enjoyed their meal with glasses of red wine as political tensions simmered across the capital.
This carefully staged dinner occurred mere hours after Senator Hanson faced suspension from the Senate chamber over her burqa demonstration - a move that echoed her similar 2017 protest that also drew widespread condemnation.
Political Fallout and Criticism
The stunt attracted immediate criticism from across the political spectrum. Opposition figure Sussan Ley didn't mince words on Tuesday, stating it demonstrated 'how brittle One Nation's politics are'.
'They must resort to reheating desperate stunts. Australians deserve better,' Ley added, highlighting the calculated nature of the political performance.
Meanwhile, Labor Minister Amanda Rishworth directed her criticism at Hanson's unconventional cooking methods, quipping: 'I hope that's cooked well through otherwise it may end up in a poisoning incident in parliament. Unintended, perhaps.'
Defection Speculation Intensifies
The intimate dinner has added substantial fuel to growing speculation about Joyce's political future. The former deputy prime minister recently stepped back from the Nationals over their net zero emissions stance, creating whispers of a potential defection to Hanson's One Nation party.
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan expressed his frustration with Joyce's political manoeuvring, comparing the situation to a 'longer saga than Days of Our Lives'.
'It's only now that he's trying to jump ship. He doesn't see a future in the Nationals party for himself,' Canavan stated, before questioning Joyce's motivations: 'But that seems to me, to raise the question: is this move from Barnaby about the Australian people, or is it about himself.'
Joyce, who has consistently voiced opposition to climate targets, remains coy about his intentions, telling reporters: 'I'm just trying to make it through to Friday,' when pressed for announcements about his political allegiance.
The political drama unfolds against a backdrop of significant polling changes, with One Nation surging to between 15 and 18 percent support at the expense of a collapsing Liberal vote, leaving Sussan Ley battling to maintain her party's cohesion and leadership stability.
