Pauline Hanson reckons a protest planned against her tonight in Perth's east is actually good news for One Nation. The party leader's speaking at a sold-out $70-per-head sundowner at the Crooked Spire in Midland, and the WA Greens have organised a demonstration to oppose her. But Hanson told 6PR's Simon Beaumont that the protest proves One Nation is "making inroads" and "hurting those ones that like the status quo."
"They're not peaceful protesters, they're usually full of aggression," Hanson said. "But it means that One Nation is making inroads, doesn't it? Really means that we're hurting those ones that like the status quo and still driving the country into the ground."
WA Greens MLC Sophie McNeill hit back, calling Hanson a politician who has spent three decades "spewing her hate-filled, divisive brand of politics." McNeill also pointed to billionaire Gina Rinehart's funding of One Nation, saying Rinehart is worth $36 billion while "the rest of us are struggling to pay our rent or mortgage."
WA Premier Roger Cook said this morning he wasn't worried about the sold-out event. He dismissed One Nation as having "nothing to offer the people of Western Australia." But the opposition is taking the party more seriously.
WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas said earlier this week he'd be open to working with One Nation to defeat Labor at the next election. Speaking at a Leadership Matters breakfast on Monday, Zempilas noted that recent polls show One Nation has overtaken the federal government in popularity, with around 30% of Australians saying they could vote for the party.
"In our position, you have to consider everything that is in front of you," Zempilas said. "There's a very significant movement towards One Nation in this state and around Australia."
Cook wasn't having it. He said any Liberal-One Nation alliance would just "sow division and hatred" and lead to cuts to services and privatisation. "They're not here to bring prosperity, they're not here to bring policies," he said.
Hanson, meanwhile, is talking up the party's candidate quality. She said One Nation has installed a "hardcore vetting process" and has received 1500 expressions of interest from people wanting to run as candidates for the next federal election. She promised a "highly impressive" Senate candidate for WA, and said she's targeting "tradies" and everyday people, not just academics.
The sundowner's agenda is expected to cover the federal budget, negative gearing, migration, and climate change. Tickets sold out fast, and tonight's protest will test whether One Nation's support is real or just noise.