Pauline Hanson's capacity to blame others – long her preferred cover for personal incompetence – has suddenly evaporated. Her European excursion has revealed that the worst enemy of Hanson is herself. No one else decided she should go to Britain to be ignored by Nigel Farage but welcomed by the far-right extremist Tommy Robinson, to tour an English community with a television crew to spout shallow insults, then prance around a Mediterranean resort at the beckoning of billionaire Gina Rinehart.
One Nation's Victimhood Tradition
But One Nation folk have a tradition, established by their leader 30 years ago, of claiming to be victims of persecution by those who fear their purity. The latest exponent has been the One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts who sneered at critics of his effusive praise for the discredited – and shunned – American commentator Alex Jones. On Facebook Roberts wrote: “First they came for Pauline. Then they came for Barnaby. Now it’s my turn.” It is a laughable response from a minor political creature pretending the Earth shakes from his thunder. But it has worked for Hanson, so why not Roberts.
No Political Thunder
The difference is One Nation has no political thunder. Hanson has no policy detail, just blame apportionment, and she has lost her touch in that department, too. Nobody in One Nation would be more aware of this than Barnaby Joyce, whom Roberts listed as a fellow victim. Joyce knows voters must be tended to with something more substantial than claims of martyrdom. They want substance beyond just words.
Self-Absorption and Its Dangers
Hanson has for so long relied on shameless self-absorption for her political progress she now seems unaware of the dangers that come with that. The battlers she says she fights for don’t get to jaunt overseas and swan around London and be feted at an Italian resort, the voiceless don’t get followed by a television crew keen for their every word. Joyce, a veteran of multiple shame bombs, knows atonement and accountability are essential for political survival. But it’s unlikely Hanson will pack either attributes in her return-flight luggage.
Internal Tensions and Leadership Speculation
Which adds to speculation the political warmth between Hanson and Joyce has been hit by an icy blast. Joyce, 59, would be a likely replacement should Hanson, 72, step aside. However the One Nation founder appears keen for the party to remain a family heirloom and has boosted the leadership aspirations of her daughter Lee. Which adds to internal tensions in Parliament House, should Hanson find her way back there.
Voter Disconnect
But the more important tension she faces is with voters. A few weeks of polling jet-propelled Hanson’s sense of invincibility. She was told One Nation was surging and pinching support from the Coalition. There was even some absurd talk of PM Pauline. Instead of exploiting this and broadening her support in the mainstream, Hanson preferred to chum it up with Rinehart, emerging from this cosiness looking like a billionaire’s trained pet. Then there were the visits to Europe and the US to establish she was a world-ranking leader of the right. Those expeditions served Hanson’s ego but not her local political prospects.
Recovery Challenges
Hanson will have trouble recovering, not least because the Liberals have finally figured she was pinching their voters and have vigorously turned on her. Further, the absence of a functioning and costed policy program means Hanson has nothing to talk about except a rapidly filling passport. Issues such as housing, the cost of living and energy supply cannot be shunted off as someone else’s fault and therefore someone else’s responsibility. If Hanson is to respond to those matters she will have to reject the lure of exotic lands and stay home.
Malcolm Farr worked in the Canberra press gallery from 1991 to 2019, reporting mainly for the Daily Telegraph and news.com.au. He has later contributed to Guardian Australia, Crikey and the ABC.
