Pauline Hanson has bemoaned the state of Australia and lauded US President Donald Trump during a speech at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
The One Nation leader skipped parliamentary sittings to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference’s four-day circle retreat and gala, hailed as a “rallying cry for freedom”, where tickets fetched from $US5000 ($7690) up to $US25,000 ($38,450).
She gave an address at the event today, singing praise for the president and his policies, which she claimed have “turned this country around” in less than a year in office.
“It’s wonderful to be in America with a reenergised, strong, and patriotic leader who has the best interests of his people at heart,” she said, according to a copy of her speech.
Hanson likened herself to Trump through her strong support of global sweeping tariffs, which are currently being challenged before the Supreme Court.
Then, her speech took a turn.
“Australia, on the other hand, has become an economic and social tinderbox that was created by successive Labor and Coalition governments,” she said.
Hanson went on the attack, accusing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of “putting our country on a dangerous path” and creating a “socialist nightmare”.
She made several provocative claims on issues such as gender, immigration, the net-zero target, and native title claims.
“Australians are responding to us in numbers: our national membership has doubled since the federal election in May this year, and our polling is at record levels,” she said.
“We still have a steep hill to climb, but I will never stop fighting to make Australia great again.”
Hanson concluded her speech, saying: ”God bless America and God help Australia.”
Earlier at the annual conservative event, Hanson was pictured sitting next to Australia’s richest person and mining magnate, Gina Rinehart.
Hanson has appeared to have spent her time aboard rubbing shoulders with Trump and his inner circle.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that she attended the president’s Halloween party.
Rinehart was also snapped there speaking to the president in a photo posted to social media by US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.
