‘Bloody stupid to do it’: Pauline Hanson backs Karl Stefanovic over sacking report

I didn't plan to turn this into the Pauline Hanson show, but in fact this afternoon I got some shocking news.I wanted Tina McQueen to come on tomorrow's show to fill in on the panel.Now you will have seen Tina on this show before, a woman with spunk, but her daughter texted us back that Tina had died today after a short but severe medical condition, and that really hit me because You've probably seen it yourself from her appearances here.And Tina's one of those people who seem, you know, truly alive, you know, and she had guts.She was a federal liberal vice president.She fought like stink for the party and would defend it even on the ABC.

When I know, well, she told me she was scared of the mockery and abuse you then get.And boy, didn't they pour it on her, you know, guts.I wish more people had that to the degree that she did.And then she showed even more guts by saying, well, enough.The Liberals had betrayed the Conservative cause, and she was off to One Nation, where in fact she planned to run for Parliament at the next election.

I think the demise of the Liberal Party set in when Tony Abbott lost his prime ministership.The left had been creeping in.I tried so very hard, you know, 10 years on the federal executive where I was bashing my head against the wall.And I came to the conclusion, you know, looking at my two grandchildren and the state of the country, that I really wanted to to help one nation.I wasn't recruited.It was my choice.

Now, Pauline Hanson was You know, pretty close to Tina as well, Tina McQueen, and she wanted to pop in to pay tribute to her.Pauline, thank you so much for your time.I mean, terrible news.It makes you contemplate how much longer we all have, don't you?Doesn't it?And what to do with that time?

I just saw Tina a couple of weeks ago and to get the news today, and I'll tell you how it happened, Andrew, I saw my phone,and I actually picked up a message.I was about to go on the floor of Parliament in the next 10 minutes to deliver my speech.You know, I saw the message from Tina McQueen, so I picked it up and read it, and I could not believe that the message was sent by her grandson.And he said, I know how you feel.There was a certain special name that he used to call her.

She was not Grandma or Nana or anything like that.So anyway, he said, she thought very much of you.And I remember the time that we spent together and he said, I just wanted to know that my Nan passed away.And I was absolutely devastated, I was shocked.And I thought, could this be real?And so, anyway, I then rang the number and I spoke to Tina's daughter, Paige, who confirmed it.

And it's just devastating.As she said, she was a woman that's full of life, vibrant.She was a character, a person.She had tenacity.She stood her ground.And yes, and when she said, I met her and I got to know her a couple of years ago, a few years ago, and we spent some time together.

And she wasn't the person to be in the kitchen cooking, so I cooked the meals.And so we had a laugh about the many things that we did.I thought she was a lovely person.I befriended her and when she said to me, she turned and said to me one day, she said, Pauline, I'm coming aboard with One Nation.She said, you know, the Liberals aren't delivering the conservatism that I believe in, that she's fought for for so long.And I said, really?

And she said, yep.She said, I've got to come across you.I've got to you know fight with you and she did she was going to stand for the seat of Dobell and that's what she wanted to do and she just wanted to fight for this country and you're right she is a fighter.

And I wish there were more people that would stand up and fight for what they believe but you know it's a hard gig isn't it?well know, Pauline, a hard gig.Can I just clear up something since you're here?It's an awkward segue, but David Farley, you know, we had Michael Kosta earlier in the show saying that wasn't a mistake, he deliberately voted with the Greens and the Teals against the fuel excise rebate for the year.What can you tell us?

I had two discussions with him today when it was brought to my attention, and I was point blank with him.He said, I didn't know.I walked into that chamber, and he said, I actually thought I was voting the way that we had to.It was an amendment.He didn't vote for the bill.So, you know, he didn't vote for the bill as whole because it went through in the voices.

But anyway, the amendment, and it was a mistake.Look, you say, OK, you shouldn't be making a mistake.Can I tell you something?It is a bloody robust place in here, Andrew, and the fact is he's got no staff in his office, Barnaby's not around.We've tried to have our meetings in the morning to guide them through because the lower house and the upper house, you don't have connection with them.This place has got one side of the house or the other side of the house.

Now, he went in there and he did make a mistake.and he has made some previous mistakes, and I'm not going to deny that.I will own it.But David, and I said to David, I said, this is the problem.I said, I've worked 30 years to get here to stand up and fight for the Australian people.And I said, your performance in there is going to reflect on me and the One Nation, my members here that we've worked so hard to represent the Australian people.

Do you understand what I'm saying?He said, Pauline, I said, I'm orange.He said, I agree with all your policies.And he said, it was a mistake.And so anyway, Andrew, I can't say any more than that, be upfront with the Australian people.But I tell them,

out there, we're not perfect.When you don't have the resources, I don't have the resources in my office.I've got two advisors.The Prime Minister has 59.Have a look at what the opposition has.You know, even the Greens.

I don't have anything.I'm trying to cope with it.And I said to David, I said, David, next week, right, I will actually give you one of the staff out of my office or out of the other senators to try and help you get through next week.It is extremely hard.But I tell you what, you have a look at the government and you look at what they've produced, given to us with this budget, which is driving the country in the ground.Is that a mistake on their behalf?

You know, have a look at what we're getting from the government and the opposition to what we're doing.

That's what 57 advisors will do for you.

They've got all the bloody resources, 500 staff from the Labor Party for our staff that we've got.And we're trying to pull this country back to represent the Australian people.So don't pull me up in the media or anyone else, because my member makes one mistake, which doesn't change the vote.So, you know, give us a bit of slack with this, please.

I got it.No, fair enough.Carl Stefanovic, it looks like being dumped by Channel 9, probably over that Tommy Robinson interview.I don't think much of Tommy Robinson at all.I think it was extremely cruel to a young Syrian schoolboy.But what do you make of it if Channel 9 gives him the boot over this?

I think they're bloody stupid to do it because, you know, when the ratings went down and I did it and I said bring back Carl, well they brought him back and guess what, their ratings went up.So they have no understanding.They've gone so far to the left, Channel 9, they're making a big mistake.Hey, guess what Carl, I'm looking for someone in my office, you know, I want some advisors in my office.So Carl, you know, come and apply for a job with me.We'll have a great time.

We'll put them all on notice.and we'll get the country back on track, mate.

That's an offer I think you'll find hard to refuse.Well, I'm looking for some good staff as advisors.But why did you post the interview with Tommy Robinson?Look, I'm too old a dog to teach new tricks.You know, I'm not biddable, you know?And then I'd have to join you in defending Ben Roberts Smith and all that.

And I don't think, look, better I stick to my own knitting here.

Oh, well, then I'll stick with David Farley because he's on side with me and One Nation's policies.

I don't...Pauline, it's very good of you to come in.We start off by paying tribute to poor old Tina McQueen.What a shock.Makes you wonder what you're going to do with the rest of your life.You spend every single day, doesn't it?

It really does.It's an awakening to a lot of people that you realise Accept and, you know, spend that precious time with your family and loved ones, and she did with the grandsons.She's got a beautiful grandson, Charlie.I think he's absolutely fantastic.I love him.She loved him.

She spent so much time with him.

And yeah, it's precious time.Thanks for reminding me of that.

I've got to say, before I go, you know, I've got to pay my respects to the family.Thank you, Pauline Hanson, for dropping in after a busy night.I really appreciate it.