Pauline Hanson was scheduled to place her vote at 2pm at
the North Ipswich state School - and the word had got out to the assembled
media.
Pauline Hanson was scheduled to place her vote at 2pm at
the North Ipswich state School - and the word had got out to the assembled
media.
I parked alongside a Channel 7 live broadcast vehicle - the two different modes of communication (digital camera to satellite transmission to home base) reflect a quantum shift in technology.
I met briefly with the branch president of One Nation Ipswich, Tony Price, before taking up a position from which I could cover the arrival of Pauline Hanson.
The attention of the media moved from general discussion to focussed attention when Pauline Hanson's motorcade was seen approaching. Pauline's every move to the voting booth was followed.
An idea of the media crush in the voting booth can be seen below.... rows of photographers reporting on a very historic vote by an amazing phenomenon in Australian political history.
Because of the treatment that I had received at the time Pauline voted at the recent Queensland State Elections Pauline and I had already discussed how, after getting her voting forms, she would move to a pre-arranged spot where I stood so that I could clear photographs and retain a position in front the eager cameramen.
The ploy worked perfectly - the difference from the images above being reflected in those below... just after Pauline had filled in her Senate and Federal voting tickets. (Image right with Peter James One Nation state director).
Pauline then placed her votes in the bins before leaving
the polling booth.
When we left the polling booth she was immediately cornered a few metres away and questioned about what she considered her cances were.
She was in good spirits.
I have reported a couple of the exchanges below:
"Pauline, you look remarkably relaxed today."
PH: "Yes, I know, I haven't had you mob chasing me around for the last couple of days."
There was an obsession by those gathered there to be invited to Pauline Hanson's party tonight at the Ipswich show grounds with a volley of questions being fired along the lines "Are we all invited to the party?" Pauline's response? "Are you sure that you want to be associated with One Nation." To which a number of affirmatives were expressed by those gathered there.... maybe it was just the party that was of interest. But you won't see that in the mainstream media.
Pauline told the media that she hoped One Nation would get between 12 to 16 seats in the Lower House and six Senate seats.
Below are some images taken from the press gathering after Pauline Hanson had cast her vote.
