7NEWS Spotlight: Pauline Hanson and the art of inconsistency

Spending a couple of weeks with Pauline Hanson is a bit like riding a roller coaster.

The One Nation leader invited us into her right-wing tent to witness what she called a ‘fact-finding mission’ to the UK and supposedly film her on a global stage where she could display a more informed, worldly view to an Australian voting audience that has been growing exponentially.

It was a grandiose idea in principle.

Trouble is, life in the Hanson big-top can sometimes make the high-wire artistes at Cirque de Soleil blush.

Just when you think thirty years of political and public life has armed her with all the necessary armour to make the right choice, the Senator surprises everyone except herself.

Case in point is her decision to meet up with far-right extremist and convicted criminal Tommy Robinson.

When Pauline’s chief of staff and right-hand Svengali James Ashby suggested a meeting and then a chance to film her participation in Tommy’s propaganda podcast, we accepted on the basis it would make for eye-opening television but privately, we were in disbelief.

Why would the leader of a party in Australia, knocking on the door of alternative government, align herself with such a proven, low-life thug?

Does she really need to be cosying up to a former registered fascist purely to reinforce her views on Islam and the pursuit of a ‘monoculture?’

When I challenged the Senator about this perceived oversight, she was unrepentant but more worryingly, appeared oblivious to the facts surrounding Robinson’s background.

Her research was non-existent and clearly, the advice from those she should be trusting was quite frankly delinquent.

It speaks volumes of a low-level party machine that is currently running on high-level fumes.

Indeed, there were many moments when the veteran politician was confused over facts but that didn’t stop her from promoting them with gusto.

She told Robinson that her country’s problems began when Gough Whitlam “got rid of the ‘White Australia’ policy in 1973”.

There’s no mention of the Liberal leader Harold Holt who began tearing it down in 1966.

Similarly, the Senator railed against 100,000 illegals in Australia, overstating the official figure of 77,700. And most of those Chinese, Malaysian or American.

On a walking tour with Robert Jenrick, from Reform UK, she explained that there was 150,000 Aussies living in cars and tents.

This is a substantial expansion on the last census statistics of 7,637 homeless.

I could go on but the point is, while all these subjects are worth dwelling on and need attention from any government, the facts still matter.

After all, the machinery of government cannot be run on feelings or perception and effective policy must be based on facts in order for it to work for every citizen.

With polling numbers for One Nation now at such a crucial level, it was only right that we put questions to the Senator that were befitting a candidate who could conceivably be an occupant of the Lodge.

To do any less would be irresponsible journalism, however in the end, the shadowy figures in her party have decided to pull the shutters down and freeze-out our team here in London.

Pauline’s inner circle is paranoid about what we will put to air tonight on 7NEWS Spotlight, despite agreeing to be open and accountable and portray their leader, warts and all.

Their stance has been hardened by the paparazzi pictures of Pauline joining Gina Rinehart, poolside at a Sicilian luxury resort and the predictable suggestions that she is just another pollie living high on the hog of a billionaire donor.

Notwithstanding that Pauline fed me a porky pie and told me she was heading to Italy for a few days on a family-related break, I think the critique is unfair and unwarranted but again, it is a question of judgement.

Mind you, there was no such public angst aimed at Albanese when he attended a private soiree at billionaire Anthony Pratt’s Melbourne mansion three months ago and was serenaded with a $3 million performance from Kylie Minogue.

And we all now know the PM’s uh-um “feelings” for Kylie.

But such is the rough and tumble of politics at the top, that choices made by those who occupy the penthouse really do count.

And who Pauline Hanson has chosen to spend time with during her UK sojourn speaks to how she sees the world and how she wants to shape the Australian way of life.

You may agree or disagree with her but chances are, tonight you will see a slightly different version of the politician you thought you knew.

One thing I’ve learnt is that Pauline, in the words of her political hero Maggie Thatcher, is not for turning.

She refuses to countenance any concept of retreat or retraction no matter what’s been stated, misspoken or wrongly put.

The front foot rule works splendidly in an Ashes series but is that stubbornness and single mindedness the sort of traits we need in a potential prime minister?

The best that can be said is that she is always prepared to speak up and is truly passionate about her beliefs. The worst is that failure to acknowledge mistakes can be a cancer in public life.

I’m a strong believer in being free to say what you think but if you’re an elected representative, sooner or later you have to back it up.

7NEWS Spotlight Presents: Pauline Goes Global airs tonight at 8.45pm on Seven and 7plus.