Nationals leader Matt Canavan has rejected calls for the Nationals to sign on to a seat-sharing agreement with One Nation, while expressing support for Pauline Hanson's fundraising campaign targeting Labor.
Canavan's stance on election strategy
Canavan told Guardian Australia that the Coalition will "compete against Labor everywhere" and dismissed the push from Liberal MP Tony Pasin for a joint election strategy with One Nation. Pasin had suggested that the Liberals and One Nation "should work together to identify which seats are more appropriately targeted," but senior Liberals quickly shut down the idea.
"I am focused on removing this terrible government. We will compete against Labor everywhere to do that. I welcome all parties running. Competition is a good thing," Canavan said.
Support for Hanson's campaign
However, the Queensland senator welcomed Hanson's "fire the liar" campaign, which her party claims has raised over $3 million since launching. On Friday, the website briefly went down but later showed the total had surpassed $3 million.
"I welcome everybody trying to take down this government, because that is the first step. So, good on One Nation for doing this," Canavan told Sky News. He noted that the funding would be used to target Labor members of parliament, adding, "I'd encourage them on that front, because we have seen Pauline Hanson spent a lot of time campaigning in the seats of Liberal and National members."
Labor's response
Labor has downplayed One Nation's donation claims and questioned the "independent audit" that Hanson said verified the money as legitimate. The audit, completed in a few hours, concluded that the donations were real and received.
Labor's outgoing federal president and former treasurer, Wayne Swan, called the public fundraiser a "cover-up" of One Nation's billionaire donors, including Gina Rinehart, and cast doubt on the $2 million figure. "We never know whether it's true, but what we do know is that they are raising a lot of money from high net worth individuals, including going to Mar-a-Lago to raise it with Donald Trump," Swan told Channel Nine. He described the campaign as "a complete smokescreen" and "a complete farce."
Rinehart's influence on One Nation
On Thursday, Hanson revealed the influence of Gina Rinehart on One Nation policy, stating that she consults her "friend" and is grateful for the mining magnate's support. Guardian Australia has previously reported on their close relationship, including the gift of a new private plane worth over $1.5 million. Before the gift, Hanson and others, including Barnaby Joyce, had been flown numerous times in Rinehart's private jet.
"I consider her a friend and I'm very grateful for her support. She's an Australian identity, she's one of the highest taxpayers in the country," Hanson told ABC radio in Perth. When asked if Rinehart contributes to policy formulation, Hanson said, "My policy on pensioners being able to work unlimited hours and without losing their pension or healthcare card came from Mrs Rinehart. And I think that's great. I listen to anyone who brings good policy to me."
