Yesterday, Pauline Hanson did something that many might think as being very clever. Others? Not so much. She announced that former Liberal MP Craig Kelly, who had lost membership in the Liberal Party, and had become the leader of Clive Palmer's United Australia Party, had defected from Clive and joined her in order to get traction in the NSW parliament. So where does that leave us?
How one can summarise what has happened in one sentence is a tough ask. But that is about the best I can do. For now.
Was it a good move? For Pauline or for Craig? For myself, I genuinely don't know. I do have to ask myself if Clive is the big loser. Or, perhaps, could Craig and Pauline have benefited from Clive's financial input? What a pudding fest this is. The situation is certainly a bit of a quandry.
For my American readers, let's take this one step at a time. For my Australian readers, here is a recap.
Firstly, who is Pauline Hanson?
Pauline Hanson's popularity in Australia has fluctuated over the years, and opinions about her are deeply divided. While she has maintained a dedicated base of supporters who resonate with her views on immigration, multiculturalism, and other social issues, she has also faced significant opposition and criticism from various quarters.
During her initial rise to prominence in the late 1990s, Hanson and her One Nation Party garnered considerable support, particularly among disaffected voters who felt marginalised by mainstream political parties. Her outspoken rhetoric and populist appeals struck a chord with many Australians who shared her concerns about issues such as immigration levels, multiculturalism, and economic globalisation.
Maiden speech 1996
However, Hanson's views have also been widely condemned by political opponents, civil society organisations, and sections of the media as divisive, intolerant, and prejudiced. Critics have accused her of promoting xenophobia, racism, and bigotry, particularly with regard to her stances on immigration and cultural diversity.
Despite facing criticism and controversy, Hanson has managed to maintain a presence in Australian politics through her leadership of the One Nation Party and her continued advocacy on various issues. While her party has experienced electoral setbacks and internal divisions at times, Hanson herself remains a visible and influential figure in the Australian political landscape.
maiden speech in the Senate 2016
In recent years, Hanson's views on immigration and national identity have gained traction within certain segments of Australian society, reflecting broader debates and concerns about these issues. While she may not enjoy universal popularity, Hanson's influence extends beyond her party's electoral success, as she continues to shape discussions and debates on topics ranging from immigration policy to political correctness.
Overall, opinions about Pauline Hanson in Australia are polarised, with supporters applauding her for speaking out on issues they feel are neglected by mainstream politicians, while detractors condemn her for promoting divisive and exclusionary rhetoric.
I have been a long time supporter of Pauline. Though, along the way, she has had her fair share of hiccups and " whose bright idea was that? " moments. Her biggest problem has, in my opinion, always been her putting trust in men who invariably let her down.
OK, that is Pauline out of the way.
Now, let's move to Craig Kelly.
Craig Kelly is an Australian politician who has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Australian House of Representatives. He was first elected as the Liberal Party representative for the Division of Hughes in New South Wales in 2010 and had been re-elected in subsequent elections.
Kelly is known for his conservative views, particularly on issues such as climate change, immigration, and freedom of speech. He has been a vocal critic of climate science and has questioned the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change, aligning himself with climate change skepticism.
In addition to his views on climate change, Kelly has been outspoken on other contentious issues, including immigration policy and multiculturalism. He has advocated for stricter border controls and has expressed concerns about what he perceives as the negative impacts of multiculturalism on Australian society.
Kelly's political positions have often drawn controversy and criticism from opponents, as well as from within his own party. Despite this, he has maintained a significant presence in Australian politics and had been re-elected multiple times to represent his electorate in parliament.
In February 2021, Kelly attracted widespread attention when he was temporarily suspended from Facebook for sharing " misinformation" related to COVID-19. The incident reignited debates about the spread of misinformation on social media platforms and raised questions about the role of elected officials in disseminating accurate information during public health crises.
He resigned from the Liberal Party in February 2021 to sit on the crossbench as an independent politician, before announcing that he was joining the United Australia Party in August of that year, and was appointed as the party's leader.
Kelly has been widely criticised for spreading " misinformation" on social media.By January 2020, Kelly's Facebook page had higher levels of engagement than either the Prime Minister or the Opposition Leader, leading The Sydney Morning Herald to call Kelly "one of Australia's most influential politicians on Facebook"
On 27 February 2024, Kelly left the UAP to join Pauline Hanson's One Nation as the party's federal campaign director.
So let's tick Craig off our list of important people for this post.
Enter Clive Palmer.
Clive Palmer is an Australian businessman, politician, and former mining magnate who has been a prominent figure in Australian public life. Born on March 26, 1954, in Melbourne, Victoria, Palmer made his fortune primarily in the mining industry but has also been involved in various other business ventures.
Palmer's rise to prominence began in the 1980s when he founded Mineralogy, a mineral exploration and mining company. He became known as one of Australia's wealthiest individuals, amassing a significant fortune through his mining interests, particularly in iron ore and coal.
In addition to his business ventures, Palmer has been actively involved in politics. He was a member of the National Party of Australia in the 1970s and 1980s before resigning from the party in 1986. In 2013, he founded the United Australia Party (UAP), a right-wing political party that advocates for populist policies and positions.
Palmer's foray into politics gained widespread attention during the 2013 Australian federal election when the United Australia Party (then known as the Palmer United Party) achieved electoral success, winning three seats in the Australian Senate. Palmer himself was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Queensland electorate of Fairfax.
As a politician, Palmer has been known for his controversial and outspoken style. He has advocated for policies such as economic protectionism, infrastructure development, and opposition to carbon pricing and climate change mitigation measures.
In recent years, Palmer has remained active in Australian politics through his leadership of the United Australia Party, which has contested several federal and state elections. While the party has not achieved the same level of success as it did in 2013, Palmer continues to be a prominent and polarising figure in Australian public life, known for his wealth, influence, and outspoken views on a range of political and economic issues.
He recently funded a successful case in the Queensland Supreme Court in relation to the mandated Covid vaccines.
His Senator (above ) just announced this.
So why oh why, I hear you ask, am I writing about a female politician, a male ex politician and a mining magnate who is also an ex politician, all headlined by the title " The Perils of Pauline? "
And well you might ask. Well, it comes back to an old story called " The Perils of Pauline. "
In storytelling, the damsel in distress, epitomised in the character of Pauline, whose trials and tribulations have come to symbolise the perilous predicaments faced by female protagonists in literature, film, and popular culture. And maybe even politics.
"The Perils of Pauline," originally a 1914 American silent film serial, followed the adventures of the heroine Pauline, portrayed by actress Pearl White, as she repeatedly found herself in perilous situations, only to be rescued in the nick of time by her dashing hero.
The obvious answer to this was for United Australia and One Nation to join forces as a coalition. With Clive's financial backing, Pauline's high profile presence and Craig Kelly's bulldog tenacity, we could have had a fighting chance to change the takeover of our country.
Well, our Pauline, is much like the heroine in " The Perils of Pauline. "
Except, I suspect that the one hero who could save her, Clive Palmer, will be nowhere to be seen. And who could blame him? Am I wrong?
I wonder.
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