Pauline Hanson has taken delivery of a luxurious Cirrus G7 aircraft worth more than $2 million, donated to One Nation by Australia’s wealthiest person, Gina Rinehart. The plane, featuring a sleek grey paint job, was provided by one of Rinehart’s companies, as confirmed by spokespeople for both One Nation and the billionaire.
Hanson’s Social Media Announcement
“Breaking news — I’ve got a new plane, Sarah,” Senator Hanson posted on social media on Wednesday, seemingly targeting a Guardian Australia reporter. She added: “Yes it was donated. Yes I’m super happy. Yes it’s fast. Yes it’s amazing. Yes it’s going to annoy the Guardian. Yes it means I can visit more regional towns across the country more often. Yes it’s a Cirrus G7. Yes it’s sexy. Yes I have a pilot.”
Plane Value and Usage
A One Nation spokesperson estimated the aircraft’s value at $2.1 million based on its specifications. The plane will primarily be used for campaign travel, allowing Hanson to reach regional areas more frequently.
Previous Use of Rinehart’s Aircraft
Earlier this year, Senator Hanson and One Nation’s South Australian leader Cory Bernardi used a plane owned by Rinehart’s company S Kidman & Co during the March state election campaign. Bernardi has since repaid over $40,000 to comply with South Australia’s donation cap of $5,000.
Hanson’s Ties with Rinehart
The One Nation leader has previously traveled with Rinehart to the United States, where she addressed the conservative CPAC conference and attended President Donald Trump’s Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago. Hanson has also declared flights courtesy of Hancock Prospecting and former NT chief minister Adam Giles, who now leads Hancock Agriculture and S Kidman & Co.
Giles’ Statement on the Donation
Adam Giles described Hanson and One Nation as “the iron gatekeepers of Australia’s values” over the past 30 years. “This is about providing the wings for a movement that refuses to let the heart of this country be silenced,” he said in a social media video unveiling the new plane. “This aircraft is not for joyrides; this aircraft is for the battle for Australians.”
Video Features Party Figures
The video also featured One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts and Hanson’s top lieutenant James Ashby, but notably absent was star recruit Barnaby Joyce.
Cash Donations to One Nation
Senator Hanson also announced that her party had received $2 million in cash donations from just four individuals. “We have a lot of additional fundraising to undertake between now and the cut-off in December to combat the uni-party ahead of the 2028 federal election,” she said.
New Federal Election Funding Regime
A new federal election funding regime with caps on donations and spending will take effect on January 1. Originally scheduled for July, it was delayed because the AEC cannot implement changes while the by-election for Sussan Ley’s former seat of Farrer — where One Nation is a frontrunner — is ongoing.
Major Donors Identified
Stockbroker Angus Aitken and his wife Sarah, described by Hanson as “patriotic Australians,” donated $1 million to One Nation. “Tremendous friends” Adam Giles and geologist Ian Plimer each gave $500,000. Plimer also works for one of Rinehart’s companies, Hancock Energy. “Whenever I think of One Nation, I think of a four-letter word: hope,” he said in the social media video.
Treasurer’s Reaction
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he believed “Pauline Hanson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gina Rinehart,” given their close personal relationship and the donations. “I don’t think it’s a big surprise to see this very close relationship between One Nation and Gina Rinehart,” he told reporters in Brisbane. “Gina Rinehart has got an agenda she’s flagged before. She’s flagged things like getting rid of the minimum wage and all of these sorts of things, and I think pretty frequently we see One Nation dance to Gina Rinehart’s tune. And so these disclosures of these sorts of donations are not especially surprising to us.”
