One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has revealed she was blindsided by her new MP David Farley's decision to fly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at his electorate office, exposing a fresh point of difference between the party leader and her newest recruit.
Hanson Unaware of Flag Plan
Mr Farley recently confirmed he planned to fly three flags – Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – at his new office, saying, “We all live in three worlds”. The decision puts Mr Farley at odds with One Nation, which has said that flying more than one flag was “extremely divisive”.
Ms Hanson told Sky News that she did not know about Mr Farley’s intention to fly all three flags. “Well, that's the first I've heard about it, to tell you the honest truth,” Ms Hanson said on Sunday. “I don't run David Farley's office with his staff or his decision-making, we work together as a team. So that's clearly his choice, he's the elected member of parliament.”
Hanson Reaffirms One Flag Policy
While Ms Hanson said she respected Mr Farley’s autonomy, she reaffirmed her longstanding opposition to multiple official flags in public institutions. “It's not something I would do myself, and actually my view is, there won't be, if I were to be prime minister or leader in this country, there wouldn't be three flags,” she said. “So anyway, we have a point of difference there, don't we? But that's his office. He can do whatever he wants to. But our policy is only one flag, and that's the Australian flag.”
Mr Farley, the new member for Farrer, recently told The Border Mail he intended to display all three flags in his offices in Albury and Griffith. “We all live in three worlds, we live in the world of our forefathers and those that came before us, we live in the present today and we live in the future,” he said.
Previous Differences on Immigration
The point of difference on flags comes after Mr Farley split from One Nation’s official party position on immigration levels during a political debate. “Is 306,000 (migrants) too many? No, it’s probably not,” Mr Farley said ahead of the Farrer byelection. He later clarified his position and said: “We must slash immigration to reduce housing demand and put Australians first. One Nation will cap immigration at 130,000 per year.” The One Nation MP faced criticism during his byelection campaign amid revelations he had previously donated to the Labor Party and supported teal candidate Michelle Milthorpe.
Hanson Praises Team Despite Differences
Despite their split on flags, Ms Hanson complimented Mr Farley and her One Nation team, saying she was confident she could form a competent cabinet in opposition or government. “I (have) a great team around me, and even those members of parliament that I have now, they're great, down to earth,” Ms Hanson said. “It's marvellous. You know, Barnaby Joyce, he's got a spring in his step. He's really happy to be part of the party. He's got his voice, he is out there. And here's a man who is former deputy prime minister of the nation, the portfolios that he's had. … We've got a great team. I've got Cory Bernardi for South Australia. What a great leader he is. A lot of good people. Don't underestimate David Farley either, who won the seat of Farrer.” She declared she was ready to be the Prime Minister of Australia and said she was considering running for a seat in the House of Representatives.
