Pauline Hanson turns up the heat on 'arrogant' state Liberal Party | 3AW Melbourne

Alright, so the latest opinion polls out, federally say that One Nation is the most popular political party in Australia.Here in Victoria, second most popular just after the Coalition, but it's all very close.It is going to make the upcoming state election one of the most interesting in modern times, mainly because normally we have a two -cornered contest.Coalition on one side, Labor on the other with, you know, preferences from the Greens and so forth.This time, really for the first time, it's a three -cornered contest.You've got the Coalition, you've got One Nation, and you've got Labor.

Joining us live in the studio is the recently appointed Victorian Leader of One Nation, Warren Pickering.Good morning.

Good morning, Tom.Thanks for the opportunity, mate, and good morning to your audience.

Now very quickly, you were in the Australian Defence Force until relatively recently, weren't you?

Yeah, I was.Look, I'm still Service Category 3 now, which is effectively on standby reserve.But yeah, look, 10 years between full -time service and reserve service.

What made you want to go into politics?

Look, my daughter got a little bit older and I was a sole parent by the time she was sort of a teenager and I just didn't see that there was the same opportunities that I had at the same age.She still is with me now, 22 years old.She has nowhere near the same opportunity in Victoria that I had at 22.What sort of opportunities?Look, economic opportunity, the freedom to squander that opportunity if you want, all of these things that we took for granted.20 odd years ago.

I think it was a matter of complacency.We just thought they'd always be there.You could start an apprenticeship.You could go to uni.All these things didn't cost much.You could move out.

You could rent a house with your mates at 18 years old if you're both first year apprentices.You can't do any of these things anymore if you're a young person.

So do you think if the popularity of One Nation continues and you win quite a few seats in the Parliament, do you think you can turn that around?

Yeah, absolutely we can.Yep.What would you do?We need to lean into the expertise that we already have, you know, look back at that.that have worked in the past and look where things have gone wrong now.I think, you know, we know economically we are really struggling.

I've said it many times, I genuinely believe we are on the precipice of social economic collapse in Victoria.And I don't think too many people would argue against that.The reality is we need to encourage business and investment and all these things that we've we've decimated you know we've got 130 000 businesses close or move interstate in 23 -24 financial year 63 new or increased taxes we are just decimating that small business sector and by any unit of measure and it's an OECD unit of measure for what constitutes a healthy GDP is a burgeoning middle class.

I know but it's it's Easy to say, we'll fix that up.It's sort of hard to do.I spoke with someone recently who, I was a young man when we had the last terrible economic collapse in Victoria in the early 90s.And this guy's now in his 80s and he's a very prominent businessman.And he said, look, when John Kerner got voted out and Jeff Kennard got voted in, he said the first thing that changed was confidence.People just felt better about the place.

And when you've got confidence, suddenly things start to happen.You know, money starts coming back in.People want to move here.You know, people take risks.They reopen businesses.I suppose the big thing for you is, is your aim as One Nation to try and win government yourself, or do you accept that you probably will have to do some sort of a deal with the coalition, with the Liberals and the Nationals in this state?

So for the first component of that, I think we can address some of these issues by making Victoria an attractive place to invest once again by removing rolling back payroll tax, land tax, fire services levy, windfall gains tax, increasing cash flow to businesses and making Victoria an attractive place to invest once again.Now, I know there's second and third order implications to making these decisions.However, we absolutely believe with a good policy setting,can absolutely secure government on our own right.

Okay but let's say that doesn't happen because the preference system is very weird and throws up strange oddities.Well there's potential changes to that this week mate.Well possibly but will you will you look to make some sort of an arrangement with the coalition like mutually supportive how to vote cards for example?

We'll do what this party's always done and we will preference with integrity.

All right, well, joining us now live in the studio is the founder and federal leader of One Nation, Pauline Hanson.Good morning.

Good morning, Tom.

Thank you for coming.I think this is the first time we've actually met in person.We've spoken a number of times, but...Yeah, we have.Yeah.Now, look, I've been talking to Warren here.

I want to ask you, how many candidates are you going to run in Victoria?

The whole lot.88 in the lower house seat plus the upper house candidates.

So you need 120, 130 people thereabouts?

I don't know, how many are running in the Upper House?Two or three in every state?

We think we're going to put four in the regions to be honest.

So north of 100 people.About 122 I believe.

Have you got all those candlelights lined up yet?

Yeah, we had 1 ,200 expressions of interest.for the Victorian state election.We've had 1 ,500 so far for the federal election.So people out there wanting to stand for us.I was shocked yesterday, the guys told me we had a lot of applications from people who were former police officers.

That is interesting.

Yeah.

Are they people who in the past might have been Coalition supporters or maybe Labor supporters who have changed their mind about the major parties?

Colleen, the upper house.She was former Liberal Party.She said Liberal Party deserted her.I hear it all the time.Even from Labor Party as well, members, you know, people who have always voted Labor Party are over the Labor Party.They don't want it anymore.

Yeah, well, Labor has contributed to the mess that Victoria is in at the moment.How do you vet all these people in such a short amount of time?If you've got 1 ,200 people wanting to be candidates, you can only pick one in 10 of those only.How do you vet them?

A lot of it goes on the application.First off, what they put in their application.We go through, we've got a system now, a new system that we've put in.It basically goes through everything to do with them.We can find out internationally what they've said or done, even on their Facebook pages or social media.We can go through that investigation to whether they've bankrupted the tax office, whether they've had any crime acts against them.

So it's really, it's a system that we're way ahead of the other political parties.

No, but I want to ask you, obviously, I've looked at One Nation's policies federally, but this is a Victorian state election that's coming up and Victoria's got its own, they're not unique, but they're issues that are very relevant down here.Crime, debt, corruption on the big bills, that sort of thing.Now, I know that you haven't released all your Victorian policies yet, but could you give us a flavour of what you intend to do?

Yeah, look, absolutely we can.Look, policy is supposed to serve the community that it claims to represent and it needs to be an ever -evolving document to continue to serve the evolving needs.Now, our primary policy positions for the Victorian state election, when we drop that document, and it is a comprehensive document, so I'd ask people to wait out before they, you know, withhold their judgment until they've had an opportunity to read it.

So when will it be released?

A couple of key policies over the coming weeks and months because we want to time these things.We've got our farming policy.We intend to represent the regions, be a staunch advocate for our regions.That one will be dropped after the Farmers Fight Back event on the 29th of this month.29th is it?

Yeah, 29th.

That one will be dropped around that time, but obviously we intend to lean heavily into crime.We want to make, firstly, pleading hard judges accountable for these second time offences.We've got to get rid of this tag and release program that's just making Victorians feel like.There's a couple of other ones.We've initiated a few very key ideas that won't be expensive.They'll be cost effective measures to get police back into our stations and I think Victorians will be very impressed with those.

The judge's one is interesting.I've been very critical of judges and magistrates in this state.I had a meeting with one last year who said that, you know, they're so overwhelmingly left -wing, they do not believe in incarcerating people.They give out bail many, many, many times.And he said that that mental aptitude is hard to change.The problem is when they're appointed, they're appointed effectively for life.

So what do you do about that, Pauline Hanson?

Tommy, you do it in legislation.You have mandatory sentences that they can't not adhere to.So it really comes to legislations put before to the courts from the judges.Also they are appointed.I've always advocated for, and of course I don't know if the state's going to take this up, I've advocated for an independent board to be set up.So if the sentence handed down by that judge is not in line with the public believe in, then they can be called before the board, be made accountable, and you're going to be put up to losing your job.

Now, you say you can't lose jobs, the jobs, that's in the federal courts.That's in the family law court, not the family law court, but federal courts, that you can't.So I believe that possibly you can get rid of the judges.I think the people have a right to say, hey, listen, mate, you're not giving us the sentences that befits the crime.They've got to be made accountable.

Yeah, well I agree, I mean in some American states they actually elect judges.Correct.Now I don't know if that would work here or not, but having judges accountable for the decisions they make, I mean everybody else is accountable for the decisions they make.

I totally agree with you.

What about, now this time next Monday I think we're going to have Jess Wilson sitting where you're sitting, the State Liberal Leader.Would you have some sort of a conversation with her or do some sort of a deal on say how to vote cards so that you mutually preference each other?

Well I tell you what Tom, they need to get rid of their attitude first and they really have.If they're really concerned about the State then they need to work with One Nation to get rid of this toxic Labor Greens government.That's what they need to do.And to have the sheer arrogance, saying we're not going to form any coalition.I don't want a coalition with them either.It's not about forming a coalition.

Let's see what happens after the election.But it's about working together to inform the people.If they have a certain number of elected members and we have a certain number of elected members, will we join our numbers to actually make sure that we can form a government to get rid of the Labor government?That's what it's about.So yes, quite willing to talk, by all means.Are we looking for, you know, people in ministerial positions?

No, that's not the case.The whole thing is get rid of Labor out of the state.But again, in order to achieve that, you might need to just at least have how to vote cards which say We want we've always advocated that right from the rough in the starting federally at all the states We've always put greens last labor second last always have done that they know it as well But they just have this attitude about it get rid of the arrogance Jess right and start realizing What's the important thing for the state is the people out there?

They want change they desperately need change the crying out for it one one outcome Which is mathematically quite likely is that?Between you and the Coalition, you do have enough seats to force Labor out.You could conceivably, you being One Nation, have more seats than the Coalition.If that occurs, would you, Warren, seek to become Premier of Victoria?Absolutely.So you'd make the Coalition the junior partner?

Absolutely.Would you share...That'd be the will of the people that voted to it.Well, it would be.But let's say you had to govern with the other Coalition being the Liberal Nationals.Would you share some of the ministries and things, or is it too soon to be thinking about stuff like that?

Yeah, that is broader picture, mate.So far down the track, we're not even there yet.

Not that far down the track.

I know, but we need to earn the trust of Victorians for the next four months before we even start to consider things like that.We have gone as far as considering things like who we'd want to have in our senior ministerial advisory positions and things like that.So if that eventuates, we are on the front foot there.But yeah, as far as coalition partnerships and whatnot, government and ministerial distribution, we're not there yet.

Because I think people want to know, let's just say this does eventuate and you're the biggest single party post the election in the Victorian Parliament, who will be the Premier?That'd be you, Warren.Who might be the Treasurer?Who might be the Energy Minister?Who might be the Law and Order Minister?Like these are all important things.

And I think people would want to know ahead of time who are going to fill these ministerial positions.

really an unknown, isn't it, at the moment?We really don't know what's going to happen out there and who's going to win it.So why would you go around?You've got more candidates than what you have positions in the Parliament anyway.So wouldn't it be best to actually see who actually wins it?There's people in here, we've got criminal lawyers that's come on board.

We've got a policy in Colleen Harkin, who's actually right across education.She'll be absolutely fantastic in that role.So if we get education, it'll definitely be Colleen Harkin.So, you know, there are people there take on those positions but I'm not going to second guess and say you're going to be this you know with the other candidates coming forward you've got to see who's going to win the seats and the same the same is with the coalition yes they've got a seats in in parliament now by all means um have they got the right people and what I will not put up withyou know, and I don't accept.is tokenism.

We've got to get the right people into those positions with the experience and expertise and knowledge in those areas.I'm sick of tokenism that we see from the Labor Party, putting women into positions that shouldn't be there.You're making decisions for this state, and I see it federally, that you have no idea what you're talking about.You listen to the bureaucrats, feed you a load of BS, and then we're stuck with, at the end of the day, rubbish that the people have to soak up.

And I suppose you yourself are proof that you don't need tokenism to have women in Parliament.

Well, correct.I haven't.Look at me. I'm the only female in my party on the floor of the Senate.I don't mind it.I don't care.But I've got good men around me who know how to do the job.

Now at your, I guess it was a press conference or was it a...

Tom, I'm going to finish up.These women jumping up and down out there.I'm no way in the wide world putting women down and I've seen, because my daughter, she's spot on and should be on the floor of Parliament.So we have fantastic women out there that I think a lot of are underestimating themselves.And my being here in Victoria, a number of people came up to me last night, women said, you have inspired me. I'm going to now look at running for politics as good on you.

No, my mother was a state parliamentarian here in Victoria for a decade and she was dead set against quotas for women.She said, you know, everybody should be appointed by merit, irrespective of gender.And that was, I guess, a viewpoint she passed on to me.Now, last night, I don't know if it was a party launch or a press conference, but you ban certain media organisations from attending.

So I think the ABC, The age and the Guardian is that something you're going to continue with just say to them you are not welcome at One Nation events Tom I did it in 1996 for nine months with the ABC and Finally they started, you know doing fair reportingIt won't be forever and a day, but it's like putting out a message.Give us a fair go.Don't twist with your opinionates and cutting what I say down to just this little snippet and putting out the wrong message.This is so important to each and every one of us, myself and all the candidates here that are standing.We want just fair reporting.

And I have felt found that these three are not prepared to do it.They're left -leaning like your judges, and they're so opinionated.I'm not interested.We've got a job to do representing the people of this state.

For all it's worth, I mean, the Labor Party pretty much has excommunicated me.Like, I struggle to get state Labor ministers.Every now and then, one will come on, federal ministers.So, you know, the ban seems, in my view, to go both ways.What about Ben Carroll?Is he going to shift the needle at all for the Labor Party, Warren?

Look, I don't think it's of any consequence to us at all who leads that party.At the end of the day, there's too many variables between now and November with respect to the other parties and the dynamic within the state at the moment anyway, economically.I think his efforts to rebrand the party were absolutely necessary.I think that they stood absolutely zero chance at all prior to that.But look, he genuinely seems to want Victorians to forget that he was Jacinta Allen's co -driver as they drove this economy off a cliff the last few years.

Yeah, the latest opinion poll suggests that the needle hasn't moved since he was appointed.We had a call before the news from Paul, I think it was, wanting to know your opinion on the treaty here in Victoria?Now, the Coalition said they'll scrap it, but...

Mate, day one, week one...You shouldn't have to ask me!Day one, week one, we'll be rolling back the First Nations Assembly in Victoria.It's undemocratic and it divides us by race.We didn't ask for it.In fact, we voted against it.

And it's going to cost us an estimated, what, 70 million a yearbut that's a projection, we know that.I think it's more than that, I think it's north of 100.

Pauline, you traditionally have not spent a lot of time in Victoria, you know, your party strength has been Queensland and parts of New South Wales and so forth, I guess WA as well.How do you find Melbourne and Victoria now that you're spending more time here?Does it seem different to you?Are you finding that people are receptive to the message you have to offer?

Oh, the response that I get from people here is just overwhelming.The support has just been amazing.You know, in just a couple of days notice, the venue last night had over 300 people in it.So people were keen to be part of One Nation and to come and see me.So it's wonderful.Do I want to live here?

No.Too cold?It's cold.Yeah, it's too cold for me.Um, so I'm not a city person.I love the country.

Um, yeah, so I won't be putting up your house prices in Victoria by coming down here and I'm sure there's a lot of people out there, um, grateful for the fact I won't be in Victoria.

Uh, another question I had off here from an email was, uh, Warren, which football team do you barrack for?

Don't even ask.I had this discussion with your staff on the way in, mate.Bombers support from way back.

Bombers, yeah.World of Hurt.And Pauline, non -Victorian politicians or non -politicians from non -football states have a terrible record.I remember Tony Abbott actually decided to support Essendon and he tried to do a handball and he looked stupid.Paul Keating thought he'd pretend to be a Collingwood supporter and looked stupid.

Don't ask me, I don't follow any.I don't even know a footballer's name.I know Darren Lockie and I know Wally Lewis.

It's not football.

Daily.So anyway, there you go.I don't even follow you.

to the rise of your party.My own interpretation is that people are fed up with the historical major parties.They look at Labor and say it's the same old, same old.We get higher taxes, we get lower growth, we get a huge growthin the public service.I look at the Liberals, particularly the Federal Liberals, you know, they keep swapping leaders, Peter Dutton, Susan Lee, Angus Taylor.

Frankly, I struggle to think of what the Federal Liberal policies are on a whole range of issues now.Like even on immigration, I think you're the only Federal politician who's actually given me a number which is like 130 ,000.So is the rise of One Nation more about dissatisfaction with Liberal and Labor, or is there something special about the party that you think is drawing people in?

Tom, I think it's about trust.Over the years I've gained the trust of people, and the fact is that I've been consistent with my message.So I don't You know swap and change whichever way the wind's blowing.So that's very important people and people want to be able to trust their politicians They may not always agree with me, but they say at least they know where they stand with me.So that's very important I don't I've never had a leadership challenge.That's another thing too.

So it's been consistent with that I think that I'm passionate about the country that I've I'm putting up policies that a lot of the other political parties have picked up a lot of my policies over the years I'm always been the first you know against the voice and and the Net Zero was the first one to come out against that.So things that we're leading the way with it, not only being a politician, you have to be a problem solver.So if you've got a problem out here, how to solve it.It's about trying to get more people who want to have families, keeping them in the home if they can.That income splitting, looking after aged pensioners to be able to work.unlimited hours and doesn't affect the pension or the health care card.

These are very important things.We're taxed to the hilt in this country and this state is so heavily taxed.Businesses, we're not looking after small business people as well.You are so heavily regulated here.If you own a cafe or restaurant here, you've got to get about 37 licences in this state to run your business.It is ridiculous.

Look at your farming sector, property rights being stripped from people.We can get back to the basics in this state, get rid of the over -regulations, over -taxing people, get out of the lives of telling people how to run their businesses and their own lives, get rid of the wokeness that's happening, this gender diversity, woke rubbish, and the kids are so confused.you're going to give them psychological damage for a long time to come.

Well, it's not me giving that to them, but yeah, I'll take your point.Warren Pickering, state leader of One Nation, will you be a conviction politician too?

Oh, absolutely.Look, and I think going back to your last question, I think what's really appealing about the party right now is authenticity.The people are authentic.The people are the real soul of the earth Australians that are just throwing their hand up to have a go at politics because they see no other way for us.I mean, people just know the quality of life in this country is deteriorating at a rapid rate, and they're looking around for something they can get behind, and all they're seeing is authenticity.And again, like Senator Hanson said, whether they agree or not, they know what they're getting.

And I think that's what we all like.

Waste of money.I'd put a real strain on the money that goes out the door.

Yeah.Final question, Pauline.Muslim immigration into Australia, if you had the ability to do something about it, what would you change?

I would be banning a lot of the Muslims coming out from some of these radical countries.Will not be no longer the burqa or the niqab to be worn in Australia.Ban that as well.Keep an eye on Sharia law, multiple marriages.These people having multiple marriages getting on the welfare system.So that's un -Australian.

It is against our laws.So there are things that we can do to curtail it.Listen to the messages that's coming out of some of these Arab nations that are saying, hey, listen, wake up yourselves, you Western nations.You don't know the disaster.that you're going to be your head for and allowing them into country.And I've just been to England.

I've seen it on the streets there.Yeah, I've seen documentaries on Denmark, Germany, France, Canada.All these countries been affected by it.I will not.I'll fight it every inch of the way to stop it from here in Australia.

We'll leave it there.Pauline Hanson, Federal Leader of One Nation.Warren Pickering, Victorian Leader of One Nation.Thanks for coming in.

Thank you.

Thanks for your time.