One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson spent Friday and Saturday (17 and 18 April) campaigning with the party’s candidate for the Nepean by-election, Darren Hercus.
Hanson attended a “meet and greet” function at Rosebud Football Club on Friday night before attending a barbeque at Hercus’ business in Dromana on Saturday.
Afterward, Hanson held a press conference at Rosebud Hospital that started in chaotic fashion as two people in attendance interjected.
As Hanson took to the microphone, a woman in the crowd yelled that the Senator was “a racist” as another attendee yelled that Hanson was planning to get rid of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
“You’re the most despicable politician we’ve ever had,” yelled the woman as One Nation supporters surrounded the pair.
The elderly man and One Nation’s Victorian president, Warren Pickering, argued with Pickering telling the man “don’t touch me” a number of times.
Eventually Pickering told the man “you’d better behave yourself mate” before telling the pair to leave the public hospital site, which they refused to do.
In a surreal moment, a man that appeared to be of Indian descent and was a One Nation supporter, approached the woman declaring “We’re all racists. I wish I had my t-shirt on right now”.
“We’re all immigrants too, I must say, unless you’re aboriginal,” said the woman, to which the Indian man replied “and every immigrant that comes should be closing the door behind them because…” before he was cut off from saying more.
The focus then returned to Hanson who was waiting for the din to die down. For the next couple of minutes, Hanson sparred directly with the pair telling them, regarding the PBS, that they are “so wrong”.
“Why would I get rid of the PBS? Why would I ever do that? Stop making these allegations that are clearly untrue.”
The pair were not to be dissuaded, and continued to interject while Hanson talked about the importance of the Nepean by-election, before eventually allowing her to speak.
“It is very important, this by-election, in Victoria, in the lead up to the election in November,” said Hanson.
“People in Victoria are wanting change in this state. As I have said many times before, Victoria is a basket-case.
“I’m pleased to announce Darren as our candidate for Nepean.”
Hercus then talked about how hard it has been to be in business in Victoria, and also mentioned the Rosebud Hospital.
“We need a new one,” he said.
A reporter asked Hercus about the allegations from former One Nation members about financial irregularities within the campaign. Initially Hercus said it was “in the hands of the lawyers” before Hanson stepped in.
“There is no separate bank account set up, there is just an account set up for the campaign,” said Hanson.
“The allegations are coming from disgruntled former members of the party.
“They’ve had no involvement in it at all. They actually left before Darren was endorsed as the candidate, and they have no idea what is going on.
“These are false allegations and I am quite prepared to put it in the hands of the lawyers to have this fully investigated. I’m fed up with people making false allegations against One Nation, and I will see it through.”
Asked about funding his campaign, Hercus told reporters he’d been putting costs onto his own credit card.
“We try and do it properly through the state executive to set up the bank account that everything has to go through. Candidates really are not across this. It is very complex, what rules and regulations. We try and guide them to the best of our ability to make sure it is done correct and above board,” said Hanson.
“All candidates, all political parties, are actually audited. Everything is audited. Everything will be gone through and investigated.
“These allegations that you are putting to us will be found to be untrue.”
Hanson moved onto the reason for being at Rosebud Hospital.
“What you’ve got here is a failing hospital. The whole state is failing in providing services to the people. If you don’t have decent healthcare, you basically have nothing.”
Hanson said One Nation would look to get rid of the “double handling” of health between the state and federal government and instead have federal funding supplied directly to hospital boards, cutting the state government out.
Asked about the funding for the redevelopment, Hanson would not be drawn.
“This needs to be scrapped and we need a damn new hospital that is up to date,” said Hanson.
“That’s my opinion. Can the state afford it? That’s another thing.”
Asked by a reporter where the money would come from, Hanson said “Cut back on some of your public servants in this state. Cut back on some of your wasting of money.”
After the press conference, Hanson and supporters headed off to campaign at Rye Pier.
