Pauline Hanson is set to receive a $100,000 pay rise after One Nation was officially designated a minor party, a status boosted by Barnaby Joyce's defection. The veteran senator's salary will increase to around $340,000, matching the pay of Greens leaders.
The pay rise comes as One Nation rides high after electoral wins in South Australia, but the key factor is the increase in Senate numbers following Joyce's move. Hanson also met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Senator Don Farrell to push for doubling her staff to reflect her new role.
Hanson's controversial history in the Senate includes a seven-day suspension last year for wearing a burqa and high heels on the floor, which she said was a protest after being barred from moving a bill to ban face coverings. She also faced a 24-hour suspension and censure earlier.
During a heated Senate debate, Hanson called Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe a 'b***h' after Thorpe repeatedly heckled her. Hanson later apologized for the language but did not retract the comment, accusing Thorpe of screaming 'like a banshee.' The exchange began during a debate on US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
