launch
was to be held in the Barry Jones room in the Ipswich Global Information
Centre at 1pm.
Commentary by Scott Balson, Global Web Builders
Another perfect day in Queensland just over a year after One Nation was
first launched
by Pauline Hanson. The
launch
was to be held in the Barry Jones room in the Ipswich Global Information
Centre at 1pm.
When I got to the Ipswich library One Nation supporters, mainly state candidates, had gathered inside and out the auditorium.
There was a feeling of expectation. There was a feeling that history was in the making.
And it was.
The
journalist I sat next to realised from my One Nation t-shirt that I was not
one of their number, and soon after I greeted Ross McConnell, Pauline Hanson's
campaign manager, she turned around to me and said, "Is that Ross McConnell?".
I replied "Yes". With those words of wisdom complete she lost complete interest
in what I had to say. Especially after I had the gall to suggest that this
was a "historic occasion".
The reporters are on the right above with the woman who I sat next to in the middle looking straight ahead.
Pauline was late so it was time to get the One Nation supporters going. Seen below are images of the crowd reacting with signs... and no protesters in sight!
The television cameras lined up and the crowds exploded when Pauline, Heather Hill (Ipswich) and Ian Petersen (Gympie) arrived about fifteen minutes late.
I have never seen Pauline Hanson so radiant so self assured in front of the media and her comment when introducing Heather Hill and Ian Petersen said it all, "For the last two years I have been bearing the front of the media interest alone. There has been enormous pressure on me. Today I am delighted to introduce the leaders of One Nation in Queensland."
In the last image above you can see Heather Hill standing in readiness to come forward to make her acceptance speech after being announced as state leader by Pauline Hanson.
Heather Hill became a mini-phenomenon in her own right. This one time social worker in Ipswich who had seen the lies of both state parties in the past represented someone who knew from the frontline what really happened.
Her presentation in front of the national media was nothing short of excellent. Although, she told me afterwards, that her knees were shaking - one would never have guessed. Her voice was strong, calm and controlled.
Here are extracts from her speech:
"As the manager of the Ipswich Regional Family Resource Centre for six years I was disgusted at the manner in which politicians on both sides whilst making noises about the family and its value, implemented policies that contributed to the destruction of the family unit.
"The family unit must be given serious priority in funding allocation.
"It is the family that is the basis of a well grounded, physically and mentally healthy society.
"One Nation believes the family is the foundation of our society."
After giving her speech leadership acceptance speech Heather announced her family policies. A leader whose portfolio is family services - makes a lot of sense to me!
These pics below show Pauline Hanson enjoying the moment. She reminded me of a mum watching her young daughter giving the performance of a lifetime...
I remembered, while Heather was speaking, saying to Pauline as I was leaving the launch of One Nation in April last year, "Pauline, this is the first day of the rest of your life, and the rest will be even better."
I felt that my words had been justified. One Nation was a viable, living, breathing party with great leadership at both a state and federal level...
After Heather had finished presenting her policies, deputy leader Ian Petersen spoke. He reminded the journalists that the major parties were running scared.... and so they should I received information tonight from an impeccable source that in ten marginal seats in Queensland One Nation polled 20% of the vote. This means that for the Liberal/National Coalition and the Labor Party there are only nine out of eighty-nine safe seats depending on One Nation preferences.
One Nation is now in a position to determine the outcome of the next Queensland state election...
Following Ian's short speech the media were invited to ask questions. And ask they did - for about an hour.
The performance by Ian and Heather was virtually flawless. No David Oldfield, no Pauline Hanson, the media suddenly had to face the prospect of real, new blood. This is what made this occasion so historic, but it was lost on those so close to it.
Pictures taken during the media interview can be seen below.
The
fellow on the right was obviously a plant amongst the media. He asked Heather
Hill a number of questions regarding the disendorsement of Mackay candidate
Michael Ettridge by the Queensland state executive, brother of One Nation
National Director, David Ettridge.
Michael Ettridge had, following his disendorsement over the weekend, told the media that the Mackay branch had been taken over by radical right wing elements. David Ettridge was to tell me after the meeting that he could not control his brother's wild claims.
Following
question time there was the opportunity for a few photos before the One Nation
faithful (minus the media) retreated to Pauline Hanson's office across the
road.
I was involved in a mini fracas involving this idiot on the right when I took advantage of this opportunity. I don't know who he was taken photographs for but this is what happened. I asked Pauline to join Heather Hill and Ian Petersen behind the table for a photo. Pauline was happy to do this for me and the media gathered around. The idiot above used his elbows and physically pushed me out of my prime position in front of Pauline, Heather and Ian. He was looking for a fight knowing that I was with One Nation... his little moment of fame. He never got it (except on the Internet here). The photo session did not last long but his actions were witnessed by a large number of One Nation members and candidates watching from behind. They raised his blatant thuggery with me after we left the Barry Jones auditorium.
Here are the pics taken before the idiot moved in...
After
the pictures were taken the reporters moved in like a pack of hounds and
I was able to get this classic of political adviser David Oldfield doing
what he does so well listening in to see how Pauline was going.
Often in the background David is a key player in the Hanson phenomenon and despite what some would see to be shortfallings thank god he is there for Pauline.
The media pack moved outside and then pounced on Pauline again this time taking her to task over Michael Ettridge's disendorsement.
She stated that she fully supported her state executive and that was the bottom line.... The media would have you believe, of course, that One Nation is in a state of collapse... give me a break!
In the photo right above Pauline Hanson can be seen speaking to Queensland Times reporter Mark Strong, partly obscured by the media plant referred to above.
Below are photos that the idiot photographer would have given his hind teeth to get....
Pauline Hanson seated behind her desk in her office right after the announcement of the state leadership with state leader Heather Hill on her left and Ian Petersen on her right, and yes, these are exclusives. No other media were allowed into her office.
