There would be no Hanson without Rinehart and Murdoch ...
On 14 December 2025, a horrific radical Islamist terrorist attack occurred at a Chanukah festival in Bondi Beach, claiming the lives of 15 innocent people.
While the nation was in deep grief, Hanson immediately launched a fierce campaign. Alongside former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, she visited the memorial site. She strongly blamed the Labor government’s "mass migration" policies, stating they had allowed the "wrong people" with incompatible ideologies into the country.
While critics accused her of "distasteful" opportunism, her message deeply resonated with an anxious public. Immediately following the Bondi incident, her primary support tripled, skyrocketing to 21% nationally by January 2026.
This reminds me of when John Howard undeniably leveraged the September 11 terrorist attacks to consolidate political power.
Howard government faced a highly probable defeat in the upcoming 2001 federal election but was able to position himself as a strong national protector in the public eye right before the November 2001 federal election, ultimately securing a comeback victory.
His tough stance clawed back conservative voters from Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, consolidating the Coalition's base.
Then there was Rinehart ...
The political partnership between One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and mining billionaire Gina Rinehart first became public in January 2025.
January 2025:
The alignment was first exposed when the pair were spotted dining together on a summer holiday in Thailand.
Late 2025:
Their alliance strengthened through numerous undisclosed private flights provided by Rinehart's business empire, Hancock Prospecting. This included a trip on Rinehart’s private jet to attend Donald Trump's Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
April 2026:
One Nation’s campaign received massive backing when Rinehart’s company gifted Hanson a new private plane (a Cirrus aircraft valued at over $1.5 million) to assist with regional campaigning.
June 2026:
Senator Hanson officially acknowledged the depth of their relationship, stating publicly that she considers Rinehart a close friend and actively takes policy advice from her.