One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has joined her daughter Lee at a private lunch in Hobart this week as the party ramps up its push into Tasmanian politics.
The pair attended the event on luxury cruise ship ‘The World’ while it was docked in Hobart on Friday, where they met with business leaders and industry figures to discuss key state issues.
Lee Hanson said the party has established three branches in Tasmania and is on the verge of state registration, with plans to field candidates in the May Legislative Council elections for Huon and Rosevears.
“We’re about 90%, 95% there in getting the stat decks done, so we can lodge the paperwork with the Electoral Commission to get it registered here in Tasmania,” she told Pulse.
The party’s new Bass, Lyons and Franklin branches launched before Christmas, with Clark to follow in the coming weeks and Braddon in February.
Hanson said Friday’s lunch provided an opportunity to connect with business and industry leaders from across the state.
“It was a really good conversation just to hear from a diverse range of persons across the state, just to see in their experience what’s happening, what do they believe we need to focus on,” she said.
Discussions centred on government overreach, red tape and cost of living pressures, with particular attention on agriculture and aquaculture.
“Understanding from their perspective, the farmers and what they’re experiencing and their concerns through to the salmon industry and understanding the regulations that they have to go through,” she said.
“What they’re wanting to bring to the state in further development, but obviously hamstrung through the red tape and the bureaucracy that’s happening and the criticism at the moment.”
Hanson said potential candidates would be selected by local branch members rather than party leadership.
“That way we ensure we get the right people from the community … the key is grassroots Australians, everyday Australians,” she said.
She says the party also has interest in putting candidates up for the October local government elections and is hoping the formation of their new Tasmanian branches will deliver the man-power needed.
“We need to make sure they’re in a good position because you want to ensure you build solid foundations so you can give it a good crack.”
Lee Hanson said her mum Pauline has a strong affection for Tasmania and enjoys visiting to spend time with her grandkids while helping build the party’s local profile – and supporting local businesses.
“Funnily enough, every single time she comes to Tassie and I pick her up from the airport, the first thing we have to do is go to Banjo’s and get a meat pie.”
“In all of her travels around Australia, she said Banjo’s meat pie is the best she’s ever had. This time it was Sorell Banjo’s.”
Lee Hanson narrowly missed a Tasmanian senate seat in the 2025 federal election.
