One Nation faces internal turmoil and candidate selection accusations

One Nation has emerged as a third force in Australian politics following six months of strong polling that threatens the Coalition’s hold on regional Australia and grants Senator Hanson unprecedented influence over the national debate. However, this national rise is running parallel to severe local friction. Former insiders and rejected applicants state that the party’s rapid expansion is undermined by opaque internal controls, heavy candidate fees, and centralized authority dominated by national director James Ashby.

Internal Dissent and Departures From Former Insiders

Jennifer Game, who served as One Nation’s party leader in South Australia and as a policy adviser to Pauline Hanson for eight years, stated she would not vote for the party at the next election. Ms Game described the organization as operating “more like a small business” without proper checks and balances. She recounted that Senator Hanson’s demeanor changed over time, becoming heavily dependent on then-chief of staff James Ashby.

Following her unsuccessful run as a Senate candidate at last year’s federal election, Ms Game received a text message from Mr Ashby criticizing her ability to sell the party’s message, followed by an angry phone call from Senator Hanson questioning her personal vote. After Ms Game quit the party, One Nation initially failed to repay her $2,000 nomination deposit and more than $14,000 in claimable election expenses. A magistrate ultimately ordered the party to refund the electoral expenses in June after a debt recovery process.

Preselection Chaos and Financial Hurdles in Victoria

Attention has now shifted to Victoria, where six would-be candidates—including former mayors, local councillors, and one former MP—have criticized the party’s preselection process for the upcoming November 28 state election as slow, chaotic, and non-meritocratic. Former Liberal National MP Aidan McLindon, who defeated Pauline Hanson in the Queensland state seat of Beaudesert in 2009, said he was approached to join the Victorian leadership team but resigned after his application was rejected following a disagreement with Warren Pickering, who became the Victorian state leader.

One Nation reported receiving 1,200 applications to run for office. Applicants were charged a $150 application fee, followed by an additional $5,500 fee if chosen to run. Mr McLindon stated candidates were not informed of the $5,500 fee until the conclusion of their interviews, describing it as an “insidious money grab” totaling around $700,000 for the lower house alone during a cost-of-living crisis. By comparison, the Liberal Party charges up to $5,000 depending on the seat to cover background checks and discourage frivolous applications, while Labor charges no application fee.

Contrasting Views on the Party’s Professionalism

While multiple applicants reported an ad hoc and disrespectful vetting process involving 15-minute Zoom interviews and scripted monologues from Mr Pickering, other candidates expressed satisfaction with the proceedings. Michael Piastrino, the One Nation candidate for Berwick and a former Liberal candidate who operates an award-winning hairdressing salon in Albert Park, praised the preselection process as professional and fantastic.

Mr Piastrino argued that a 12-to-14-week campaign window is plenty of time for candidates who are already known in their local areas. Conversely, Whittlesea councillor Michael Labrador, who won pre-selection but chose not to run, said the process shut out experienced community figures from winnable upper house seats and left the party attempting to build a grassroots campaign on quicksand with less than 90 days until polling day.

Mr McLindon also pointed to past controversies surrounding James Ashby, referencing a secret 2017 recording obtained by the ABC where Mr Ashby discussed making money from a state election. Mr Ashby previously dismissed that recording as a brainstorming session. Repeated interview requests sent to Senator Hanson, Mr Ashby, and One Nation regarding the Victorian preselection process and candidate grievances went unanswered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the financial disputes between Jennifer Game and One Nation?

After Jennifer Game left the party, One Nation initially failed to return her $2,000 nomination deposit and more than $14,000 in claimable election expenses. Her deposit was eventually recovered through debt recovery, and a magistrate ordered the party to pay the electoral expenses in June.

How much did One Nation charge prospective candidates in Victoria?

Would-be candidates paid a $150 application fee, followed by an additional $5,500 fee if they were selected to run for office, a requirement that critics say was not disclosed until the end of the interview process.

What elections has One Nation contested recently?

One Nation secured a federal by-election victory in Farrer, won four lower house and three upper house seats in South Australia’s state parliament, and won a by-election in Western Australia, ahead of the upcoming Victorian state election on November 28.

How do other major political parties handle candidate fees?

The Labor Party does not charge prospective candidates an application fee, whereas the Liberal Party charges up to $5,000 depending on the seat to cover background checks and discourage frivolous applications, with candidates informed of the fee upon applying.

What did successful candidate Michael Piastrino say about the preselection process?

Michael Piastrino, the One Nation candidate for Berwick, stated that he had no problem with the process, describing the vetting as professional and fantastic, and asserting that a 12-to-14-week campaign window is sufficient.