Reports of a new One Nation dilemma

A battle has opened up between One Nation and Labor over claims Pauline Hanson’s party allegedly broke electoral rules in Queensland.

As the ABC reported this morning, Queensland Labor senator Murray Watt has referred One Nation to the state’s electoral commission for allegedly breaking the rules of the Queensland Electoral Commission – and it could have serious consequences for the party in the upcoming Queensland election.

There are fears that, if proven true, the allegations against One Nation could lead to the party being de-registered in Queensland.

It’s the third time Senator Watt has referred One Nation to the electoral commission.

This time he’s claiming the party changed its legal structure without notifying the QEC.

“The Queensland electoral law says political parties have to prohibit people becoming a member of the party if they have been convicted of certain electoral offences, and One Nation’s written constitution does not contain that,” he told the ABC.

“The Queensland electoral law also requires parties to set out how they will manage disputes, how they will have fair preselection processes to give their members a fair go — One Nation’s written constitution doesn’t contain those kind of requirements.”

Senator Watt said Senator Hanson and “her cronies” have displayed a “pattern of behaviour” that “suggests they don’t think they have to play by the same rules as everyone else.”

The allegations have led to some sledging between the two parties.

A One Nation spokesman told the ABC Labor had been “making every attempt to unstitch One Nation”.

“If the AEC wish to clarify any innuendo claims by the Labor Party, we will be happy to do so,” he said.

“We see this as simply another mischief-making opportunity by Labor members — the structure of One Nation is not unlike that of all major parties.”

On Friday, Senator Hanson posted on Facebook over another issue which Labor is attacking One Nation on – her chief of staff James Ashby’s printing business and its connection with her party.

“Labor doesn’t like me and it’s obvious when they spend your tax dollars trying to find ways to skittle me and my staff anytime they can,” she wrote.

“I’ve always tried my hardest to save the taxpayer where ever possible. We have more than generous budgets in our offices which my staff and I respect.

“To prove no wrong doing has occurred, I’m attaching all invoices that Coastal Signs & Printing have been paid from my office budget or one of my other senators budgets, along with the wholesale rates his company paid to supply the stationery and calendars.

“I’d much prefer to work with Labor on making Australia a better country, but it’s difficult when the knives are constantly out.”

Whose side are you taking in this? Do you think Labor is “making mischief” or is One Nation in the wrong?