Pauline Hanson's European excursion has shattered her usual tactic of blaming others, revealing that her biggest adversary is herself. The One Nation leader was spotted at an Italian resort with billionaire Gina Rinehart, after being welcomed by far-right extremist Tommy Robinson in England, where she toured a community with a television crew to spout shallow insults.
Hanson's history of playing the victim
One Nation has a tradition, established by Hanson 30 years ago, of claiming persecution by those who fear their purity. The latest exponent is Senator Malcolm Roberts, who sneered at critics of his praise for discredited commentator Alex Jones, writing on Facebook: "First they came for Pauline. Then they came for Barnaby. Now it's my turn." This laughable response from a minor political figure mimics Hanson's successful formula, but One Nation now lacks political thunder.
Lack of policy detail hurts Hanson
Hanson has no policy detail, only blame apportionment, and has lost her touch in that department. Barnaby Joyce, listed by Roberts as a fellow victim, knows voters need substance beyond martyrdom claims. Hanson's shameless self-absorption has led her to ignore the dangers: battlers she claims to fight for don't jaunt overseas or get feted at Italian resorts.
Internal tensions and voter backlash
Joyce, 59, a likely replacement if Hanson, 72, steps aside, knows atonement and accountability are essential for survival. But Hanson appears keen to keep the party a family heirloom, boosting her daughter Lee's leadership aspirations. This adds to internal tensions in Parliament House. However, the more important tension is with voters. Polls once inflated Hanson's sense of invincibility, with talk of PM Pauline, but she preferred to chum up with Rinehart, looking like a billionaire's trained pet.
European trips serve ego, not politics
Visits to Europe and the US to establish herself as a world-ranking right-wing leader served Hanson's ego but not her local prospects. The Liberals have finally figured she was pinching their voters and have turned on her. Without a functioning policy program, Hanson has nothing to talk about except a rapidly filling passport. Issues like housing, cost of living, and energy supply cannot be shunted off as someone else's fault. If Hanson is to respond, she must reject exotic lands and stay home.
