Senator Pauline Hanson charged taxpayers more than $13,000 for two October trips that involved fundraising events, a Gina Rinehart-linked opening, and local party branch launches. One itinerary featured flights from Hobart to Brisbane timed to connect with a Rinehart-funded private jet to Florida.
Hobart-to-Brisbane Flight for Florida Jet
Senator Hanson flew from Brisbane to Hobart for $768, stayed four nights, and opened the Bass branch of One Nation alongside her daughter, Lee. She also hosted an afternoon tea fundraiser with her daughter to support the new Bass branch and Teen Challenge Tasmania.
On October 26, she traveled from Hobart to Melbourne and then Brisbane at a taxpayer cost of $1,990, catching a private jet to Florida that day funded by mining magnate Gina Rinehart. Upon returning to Brisbane from Florida, Senator Hanson billed taxpayers $505 for a Comcar service.
Senator Hanson defends Rinehart-sponsored flights as taxpayer savings. “These flights are no cost to the taxpayer,” she stated in March. “It didn’t cost the taxpayer a cent for me to fly on a plane — are you worried about whose plane it was on?” Taxpayers covered only the connecting legs to Brisbane.
Tamworth Fundraiser and Rinehart Event Trip
Taxpayers funded an $11,000 four-day round trip in mid-October. This included a Brisbane-to-Sydney flight for $650 on October 17, an overnight stay, and a $372 Sydney-to-Tamworth flight the next day. That Saturday coincided with Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce announcing he would not recontest his New England seat and considering a move to One Nation.
Senators Hanson and Sean Bell hosted a sold-out fundraising dinner at Tamworth West Leagues Club that evening after opening a One Nation branch in New England. Guests dined on “freshly grilled barramundi” and “hearty beef sausages” with gourmet sides. An event ad described it as a “unique opportunity to dine alongside Senator Pauline Hanson and Senator Sean Bell.”
The following day, Senator Hanson chartered a $8,870 taxpayer-funded flight from Tamworth to Melbourne, which she previously called the only available option. In Melbourne, she attended the opening of Nicholas Hancock House in Geelong, a student accommodation block funded by Gina Rinehart and named after her family. A Rinehart-provided flight took her from Melbourne to Sydney, followed by a $1,090 taxpayer-funded return to Brisbane.
Barnaby Joyce confirmed speaking with Senator Hanson after her Tamworth visit, praising One Nation’s opposition to net-zero climate policies.
Parliamentary Rules and Additional Travel
Senator Hanson’s out-of-state travel for political activities prompts questions on compliance. The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) requires taxpayer-funded flights to primarily serve parliamentary business with value-for-money principles. Parliamentary duties may encompass party executive meetings, national conferences, or election-related party headquarters engagement.
Gina Rinehart has funded other trips, including Tamworth to Queensland when Joyce joined One Nation in December and Adelaide flights during the state election in March.
Recently, Senator Hanson highlighted a new “sexy” private plane donated by Rinehart, plus multi-million-dollar contributions, to boost regional visits and elevate One Nation. In a promotional video, former Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles said, “This aircraft is not for joy rides, this aircraft is for the battle for Australians.” Senator Hanson urged supporters to “keep an eye out for my maiden voyage.”
Broader Scrutiny on MP Expenses
MP travel claims face increased review ahead of the 2025 federal election. Recent cases include a minister’s nearly $100,000 New York trip for a social media policy promotion and family-accompanied sports events. Former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton drew criticism for a Sydney fundraiser during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s approach to Brisbane, as did Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a same-day political event.
