Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, has gifted a $1.3 million Cirrus G7 aircraft to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. The plane, donated by a Hancock Prospecting company, was unveiled in Brisbane with a flashy social media video showing Senator Hanson describing it as 'fast … amazing' and 'sexy'.
In addition to the plane, One Nation received $2 million in cash donations from stockbroker Angus Aitken and his wife Sarah, former Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles, and Ian Plimer, executive director of Hancock Energy. Aitken donated $1 million, while Giles and Plimer each contributed $500,000.
Senator Hanson thanked the donors, calling them 'patriots' and 'tremendous friends of One Nation'. She said the plane would allow her to visit more regional towns across the country more often. The aircraft is listed on Cirrus International's website at $1.3 million.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers criticized the close relationship between Hanson and Rinehart, stating, 'Pauline Hanson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gina Rinehart.' He accused One Nation of voting in line with Rinehart's interests rather than those of workers and battlers.
Barnaby Joyce, who defected to One Nation last year, defended the gift, questioning why traveling on a supporter's dime is considered problematic while taxpayer-funded travel is accepted. Senator Hanson has previously listed Rinehart's companies in her interests register for providing flights, including a trip to Florida.
