Pauline Hanson’s much-publicised arrival in WA has descended into disarray, with the One Nation leader refusing to answer questions on her candidates’ pasts, as well as appearing confused over which electorates candidates will run for in the WA state election.
Ms Hanson appeared in Bunbury on Friday to spruik the Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidates running in WA seats.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has ticketed candidates for 27 seats in the State Legislative Assembly, including Mandurah, Dawesville, Murray-Wellington and Bunbury, as well as candidates in the South West.
But when questioned about the past of some of the candidates at a doorstop in Bunbury, Ms Hanson refused to answer the questions.
“I’m not going to have trial by media here, with all of my candidates. If this interview is going to be all about the candidates that represent me, I’m sorry, but this interview is finished,” Ms Hanson said.
“I am not going to stand here and continue a conversation with regards to these candidates. You are treating me totally different to the different political parties.”
“But it’s a very valid question, as it goes towards your candidate’s reputation,” a journalist is heard saying.
“I have answered your questions, and I won’t go into it any more, because it’s the first I’ve heard about it,” Ms Hanson said.
The question related to One Nation’s candidate for Dawesville, Lawrence Shave, and his plans to start a business called Bikini Baristas, in which scantily-clad women would sell coffee to consumers.
Mr Shave is also outspoken on social media on both his trips to Odessa, Ukraine, on what he calls missionary trips, as well as his strong Christian faith.
6PR host Gareth Parker revealed the information on Lawrence Shave on his radio program, which Mr Shave then confirmed.
“There’s always controversial issues... people go down to the local supermarket and buy their groceries in jeans and a bikini top, what’s the difference,” Mr Shave said.
“If the uniform looks good, why not? They look good, I’m always attracted to them because I’m a man.”
The press conference continued to devolve when Ms Hanson was asked about David Archibald, who was touted as the One Nation candidate for Kalgoorlie outside Parliament House yesterday.
However when a news crew contacted Mr Archibald following the meeting, Mr Archibald said he was a “foot soldier” of the party and had no plans to run for the seat.
“I don’t know who you were actually talking to, because David Archibald is the candidate,” Ms Hanson said.
Ms Hanson was then questioned on her controversial burqa ban policy, which was followed by claims the Bourke Street incident on Friday was a terror-related attack.
“Well I’ve just been informed that there’s been a terrorist attack that’s just happened in Melbourne,” Ms Hanson told the gathered journalists.
“This is a real issue. This is what it’s about. This is why were doing it.”
When asked how Ms Hanson could possibly know the attack was terror-related half an hour after it happened and with no police briefing, she replied it was “what she had been informed”.
Ms Hanson then walked away from the interview shortly after. The meeting can be seen below.
Several of Ms Hanson’s other picks for WA seats have raised controversy as well, including Murray-Wellington candidate Ross Slater, who has been consistently outspoken about his opposition to same-sex marriage.
“Redefining marriage will shatter the natural family structure, society’s moral code and affect everybody, because it’s only the beginning,” Mr Slater said in a letter to the Bunbury Mail in July last year.
“Same-sex couples entertain hetero bashing by suing people who refuse assistance with their “wedding” or condone their lifestyle.
“Bible quoting, introducing adultery decoys and continually referring to the shining sun disguises devious attempts to dismantle a sacred institution gay couples are neither eligible for, nor respect.”
