Hanson fights for right to party
The Age (Melbourne)
August 15, 2007 – 11:39AM
Right-wing firebrand Pauline Hanson has applied to register a new political party ahead of the upcoming federal election.
The former One Nation leader, who hopes to win a Queensland Senate seat at the election, has applied to the Australian Electoral Commission to register Pauline's United Australia Party.
Ms Hanson, 53, has made the move in the hope of having the party's abbreviated name, Pauline, appear above the line on the Senate ballot paper.
“Last time when I stood a lot of people voted for me below the line and only put a one in the box which carried my name and didn't fill out every other box,” she told ABC Radio.
“Therefore their vote was invalid.
“By having my name above the line it will clearly show where people can vote.”
Of Queensland's six Senate spots up for grabs at the next federal election, five are held by the major parties – two Labor, two Liberal and one National – with the remaining seat held by Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett.
Ms Hanson will be vying with Senator Bartlett, Family First's Jeff Buchanan and the Greens' Larissa Waters for the required 14.5 per cent of the vote to gain a Queensland Senate seat.
“I know it is going to be extremely hard for me to win the seat, considering I'm sure all the political parties and everyone again will preference me last,” Ms Hanson said.
The Electoral Commissioner will call for objections before the possible registration of the party, which could occur next month.
Ms Hanson stood successfully for the Queensland seat of Oxley at the 1996 election after expelled from the Liberal Party because of her explosive views on immigration.
Her maiden speech on race and immigration to the House of Representatives in September 1996 caused a sensation around the world.
She went on to launch the anti-immigration One Nation party that foundered amid bitter infighting. She lost her seat at the next federal election.
AAP
