January 18, 2000
To Whom It May Concern:
Since arriving home, the State Executive, Len Harris and I have worked tirelessly
to explain the chain of events that led to the defection of the five Members
of Parliament, Ian Petersen and Heather Hill from Pauline Hanson’s One
Nation.
Over the years lies and innuendos have been spread about the two David’s.
It has come to a stage where dealing with perception is an endless battle.
People are too often easily swayed by gossip and lies, and only hear what
they want to. I have always tried to be honest and accountable to the members
of One Nation and have worked to the best of my ability for our country.
David Oldfield has been accused for years of wanting to take over the party
as leader, and along with David Ettridge was said to be controlling me. David
is a fine Parliamentarian and has worked tirelessly to help me achieve my
goals. The people who have accused him of this, are now actually the ones
who have done the dirty deed. For the first five months after launching the
party David Ettridge fully funded the National Office, paid the wages and
worked to establish branches throughout the country. David Ettridge has been
accused of misappropriation of monies over the years, yet no evidence to
support these cowardly rumours has been produced.
We have gone through a battle with the de-registration of the party in
Queensland. Terry Sharples had the case thrown out of court on five previous
occasions before he received a hearing from Justice Atkinson. We are not
guilty of fraud or misrepresentation as stated by Justice Atkinson, and we
had no choice but to lodge an appeal. These findings could have led to further
court action and the possibility of my never being able to stand for Parliament
again. It would have been nice to have had the support of the MP’s instead
of them worrying more about whether they would receive their travel expenses
and such. If I had not appealed against the decision, as registered officer
I am responsible for the Electoral funding in this case approximately $500,000.
I am not guilty and had to fight for justice.
The MP’s, Ian Petersen, Heather Hill and Graham Mc Donald have been
planning to take over the party. Members have told me of approaches made
to them six months ago. Their hatred of the two David’s is the real
reason for the split. They have wanted me to turn my back on the David’s,
but unless there is justified reason I will not. The MP’s threatened
to resign a year ago just prior to the New South Wales elections, in doing
so jeopardised those NSW candidates chances. One of their demands was for
the two David’s and me to stand down from our positions on the National
Executive and renominate at the Rooty Hill AGM. This we did, we were all
elected unopposed. The MP’s and Heather offered me a position as President
of their party, one would be led to think this may have been to give their
party credibility, is this the democracy they screamed the loudest for. They
completely excluded the elected State Executive in any planning or discussion
of their treacherous plot. They approached Len Harris who firmly rejected
them.
Len Harris has put out a letter, explaining the discussion that took place
in a telephone hook up between the two David’s, Ian Petersen, Len Harris
and the MP’s excluding Peter Prenzler, on 10th December. It was agreed
on the name of the Party, One Nation Queensland, the constitution, Bill Feldman
as the MP, and Pauline Hanson as the registered officer. Vicki Doak, who
currently holds the position as State Secretary, was to be the Secretary
on the registration forms. In less than four hours they reneged on the agreement.
Without notifying any of the parties involved, they applied to register One
Nation Queensland, with Ian Petersen as the registered officer, and Heather
Hill as Secretary. The registered officer is a very important position as
that person is responsible for candidate nominations and refunds from the
Electoral Commission. Their intention was to take complete control of the
Party and just have me as a figurehead. Both before and after their actions,
David Ettridge had advised them they could not use the trademark name ‘One
Nation’.
The court’s decision with regards to the appeal will be handed down
in February. If the MP’s reason for registering the party was to protect
themselves in Queensland, then why are they sending letters to Pauline
Hanson’s One Nation members in other States? These people have been
disloyal to One Nation’s members and voters. Over the past 2+ years,
many have worked tirelessly to see One Nation become the third major political
party in Australia, gaining representation in our Parliaments. Peter Beattie
vowed to get rid of One Nation before Christmas, the MP’s have assisted
him to achieve his wish. Supporters and voters will never forgive them for
their actions.
The National Executive has worked over the years to bring democracy and autonomy
to this organisation. States handle and control all membership fees and
donations. The running of the State is the responsibility of the elected
State Executive and State Director. The two David’s and I have never
interfered with the MP’s in their Parliamentary duties, yet they
didn’t mind contacting us, when they were in trouble, needing our help
dealing with the media and other issues.
Heather Hill has made allegations of impropriety of monies in the National
office. When she held her position on the National Executive, Heather was
given financial statements. Since she has left the party, these statements
have been given to a leading Queensland newspaper. When the newspaper contacted
David Ettridge, he provided them with additional information. The newspaper
investigated the figures for three days, and no story was ever run.
Bill Feldman and Ian Petersen were asked to join the State Executive by me
last October, to enable communication between the MP’s and the State
Executive, they didn’t turn up to the meeting, I personally told Bill
when it was on. After requesting information in relation to Private Members
Bills before Parliament from Bill and Ian, they did not provide the State
Executive or myself, as leader of the Party, with the information. They have
had a free rein with legislation before the house and have never had any
interference from the State and National offices or the two David’s.
There have been too many lies and constant misinformation spread by Scott
Balson on the Internet site. The MP’s, Heather Hill and Ian Petersen
have not told the full story. This Party was created because I had the guts
to stand up and say what I believed in. Australians gathered to support me,
and from there we have grown to become a political force in Australia. The
very same policies that elected the One Nation Members of Parliament, Bill
Feldman has stated that he must rid himself of our racist policies now. I
have never advocated racist policies and never will. Are they becoming just
like all the other parties and appeasing the minority groups for the vote.
This is the second time in less than a year they have used their positions
to place demands on the elected executive. They were trying to take over
the party by stealth. I will never trust them again. Unless we stand strong
and united we will all be the losers. Their actions have done what the media
and other political parties have not been able to achieve, and that is to
split the members. The majority of members are seeing them for what they
are, and remaining loyal to me, because I have never given up or walked away.
If I had accepted the position as President of their Party what would the
members and public think of me, are their actions any different? The Liberals
have stated they will not give them preferences and neither will Labor. Does
anyone believe that when the 5 MP’s lose their seats at the next election,
they will stay and fight on as I have done? THEY WALKED AWAY for no justified
reason. It may get hot in the kitchen but I’ve been in the boiler for
years.
This organisation is not only in Queensland, there are other people who have
worked for One Nation and I do not intend to desert them. We will rebuild,
it will take time but I haven’t let you down. Gaining over a million
votes in the last Federal election made political history. We have changed
government policy, stopped the politician’s republic and are starting
to bring accountability back into politics. Proof is in the pudding, the
two David’s and I have proven our leadership with the support and dedication
from members, in unprecedented hostile territory from the media, political
parties, interest groups and individuals.
False perceptions, misinformation and lies are no reason to throw away
Australia’s future and give all our opponents what they want, to rid
Australia of a third viable political party. I plead with you; listen to
reason and not lies, don’t throw away our future. I need your help,
your support, financial assistance, but most of all your loyalty.
UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL
This letter was written with the utmost sincerity to the members of Pauline
Hanson’s One Nation and voters. I remain dedicated and loyal to my beliefs,
objectives and principals.
Pauline Hanson
National and Queensland State President
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party
The thing that comes to mind as a result of
the past incident is that the people involved Bill Feldman, Jack Paff, Harry
Black, David Dalgleish, Peter Prenzler, have lost focus on the very reason
that they first joined Pauline Hanson’s One Nation (PHON). They were
selected by their PHON branches and more importantly the people of those
electorates, who placed their faith in them as PHON representatives, electing
them as their representatives to the Queensland Parliament.
Instead it would appear by their actions (and their actions determine their
state of mind) that the above Members have become centered on themselves
and control of a Political Party!
As elected members of Parliament, they have the responsibility of representing
the people of Queensland. To bring things back into focus we need to look
at the Goals and Policies of PHON the association they originally joined.
Goals of Pauline Hanson's One Nation :
Policies of Pauline Hanson's One Nation
:
The clear desire of the Queensland people,
in selecting the PHON representatives, was to promote the Goals and Policies
for the benefit of Queensland.
On Friday 10th of December a telephone hook up was held between the 5
Parliamentarians, Ian Peterson in Brisbane, the 2 David’s in Sydney
and myself in Canberra to discuss the concerns of the QLD Parliamentarians
regarding the de-registration of the Party and the Bundamba by-elections.
After 40 minutes of discussion at 12.20 the 5 Parliamentarians, Ian Peterson,
the 2 David’s in Sydney, and myself in Canberra all agreed to the
registration of a NEW SEPARATE Political Party and each person clarified
that they agreed with each of the following four points as follows:
This new party would only be registered in
Queensland and be distinctly separated from the Federal PHON. For a Political
party to stand Candidates in a Federal Election it must be registered with
the Federal Electoral Commission.
A discussion followed to find a way, at a later date, to affiliate the new
party with the existing federal body of PHON so that in a Federal Election
candidates could be stood in Queensland. This discussion clearly indicated
to everyone in the phone hookup how autonomous and separate the new party
would have been.
This meant that the 2 David’s would not have any association, control
or influence on the new party and would not be able to touch any of the money
that was received by the new party.
The 2 David’s, the Politicians and the people behind them indicated
that was what they wanted while still giving them the close association with
the One Nation name! This was agreed while everyone was still in the Phone
Hookup which concluded at 12.20 QLD time.
By 4.30pm on Friday 10th of December, QLD time, without consulting the Queensland
members of PHON, without any further contact with either David Ettridge,
David Oldfield or myself (Senator Len Harris) to seek clarification on any
issues the Politicians registered the following: -
You may say that is not so different to what
was agreed 4 hrs previously?
Well let me tell you it is very different for the following reasons: -
In conclusion it is only fair to ask: -
So maybe we (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation)
are the lucky ones in that by you supporting Pauline through the existing
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation branches, I can continue doing what you
elected a Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Senate representative to do, that
is: -
CONSULT WITH AND REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF QUEENSLAND.
In the face of adversity we should focus on the positive outcomes. Pauline
will be taking up the position of Political Advisor and will operate out
of the new Ipswich Senate office that will be established this year (the
Brisbane office will still be available for appointments). Pauline will also
travel to Canberra while the Senate is sitting and personally input into
the development of Bills and amendments to legislation.
Pauline will also represent me at meetings that I am unable to attend.
I look forward to this year and the excitement of developing a new way for
the people of Australia having a positive input into the legislation that
is before the Senate. In doing so Pauline Hanson’s One Nation will remain
the positive force that it is in Australian politics for future generations
and us.
I remain your Humble Servant,
Senator Len Harris.
By now you will be aware of reports of an
attempted takeover of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation (PHON) in Queensland.
This move was well organised and well funded by unconfirmed sources. As the
State Executive was kept almost completely in the dark over this issue, we
take this opportunity to provide a measured response to the events of the
last few weeks. It is now abundantly clear the plans that culminated in the
takeover attempt had been on the drawing board for at least six months and
likely much longer.
The original plan called for the continued use of the name "One Nation" and
the use of Pauline Hanson in a "figurehead" position as President. When this
plan failed due to the refusal of Pauline to join in the scheme, along with
the violation of the trademark name of "One Nation", their contingency plan
was immediately activated to form a totally new political party. It is also
clear that the leaders of the breakaway group have repeatedly lied about
their intentions. As information of the covert scheming leaked out, it was
relayed to the State Office by loyal members concerned about their party.
When confronted with the allegations the conspirators denied any involvement.
It was reported that during one of the "secret" meetings at Ipswich, a leader
said "Pauline is no longer able to think for herself so we have to do her
thinking for her".
On Friday 10th December, the wheels were set in motion. Pauline was on holiday
in the USA, the State Executive was totally ignored and the token dealing
via teleconference with David Ettridge, David Oldfield and Senator Len Harris
was only done to create an illusion with the members that they had tried
to broker a last minute deal. It appears the real deal had been done long
before that day and nothing was going to stop the implementation.
A PHON media release was issued on Monday 13th December, to state the
party’s position of opposition to any such moves. Pauline, when informed
of the moves, instructed that she did not support the undemocratic action
and that she would not be joining with them. Pauline indicated her total
loyalty to One Nation and would not betray the members by condoning undemocratic
practices.
A letter dated 15th December was circulated amongst Pauline Hanson's One
Nation members and branches and signed by W. Feldman, P. Prenzler, H. Black,
D. Dalgleish, J. Paff, I Petersen and H. Hill. The use of the mailing list
employed to send that letter to you was not authorised by Pauline Hanson's
One Nation. There is some evidence that it is related to the original database
that mysteriously disappeared from the National Office a couple of years
ago and has turned up in at least two other organisations previously. The
letter was totally misleading and meant to convey that the signatories as
listed above still supported Pauline Hanson. By their own actions nothing
could be further from the truth, as paragraph 4 of that letter states:
"The five sitting One Nation members will be the sponsors for the registration,
and an interim executive has been elected by the founding committee. The
executive comprises the five members plus:- Executive Director – Ian
Petersen, State Secretary – Heather Hill, and State Treasurer –
Graeme McDonald. The position of State President has been reserved for Pauline
Hanson. In any event she is still the National President, and it is our intention
that One Nation Queensland would be affiliated with the other State organisations
and the Federal body".
The opening line states "the five sitting One Nation members". Their action
of applying for registration of new political party of a different name,
excluding Pauline Hanson from the registration, naming Heather Hill as the
secretary and not the legitimate State Secretary on the application, points
clearly to the fact that the preservation of One Nation was not considered
at all in their plans. The political party described above does not and cannot
have any affiliation with Pauline Hanson's One Nation by virtue of the fact
that it was conceived, planned and executed without the consent and knowledge
of the democratically elected Queensland State Executive and the Queensland
membership at large.
Their "interim executive" is self-appointed and completely ignores the existence
of the legitimately elected State Executive of Pauline Hanson's One Nation
Queensland, (who incidentally, Bill Feldman and Harry Black helped elect
at the Airlie Beach AGM). At least one of the MPs has admitted that their
plans called for deliberately by-passing the official State Executive. The
reservation of the position of State President while being a magnanimous
gesture on the part of the rebels was rather superfluous as Pauline is the
democratically elected State President. Again, that position and the creation
of the new party was carried out without any consultation with Pauline Hanson
herself.
The fact that an executive other than the democratically elected State Executive
was appointed without the knowledge of the party shows this to be nothing
more than an illegitimate attempt to seize control of the Queensland Branch
of Pauline Hanson's One Nation. It is important to note that if the motives
offered for the move were totally legitimate and above board then this group
would have happily gone ahead with the deal that they all agreed to during
a teleconference on Friday 10th December, 1999, as it gave them a separate
Queensland party without the involvement of David Ettridge or David Oldfield,
a condition that they demanded.
The agreement reached at 12.20 pm Queensland time was as follows :
This registration was to be for a stand alone
Queensland party to the extent that the 5 Parliamentarians acknowledged that
if in the future they wanted to stand Federal Candidates there would have
to be some form of affiliation with PHON to be able to do so.
This package would have been more than adequate if the reasons originally
offered for their move were genuine. The events that followed proved that
their claims were merely a smokescreen for their true mission – to try
to take over the party in Queensland.
NOTE:- It is clear that these people, by inserting Ian Petersen’s name
as the Registered Officer and Heather Hill’s name as the Party Secretary,
did not want Pauline or the members of PHON to be aware of what would transpire
between their party and the electoral commission.
The breakaway group submitted their application for registration of their
own party on the afternoon of Friday 10th December, 1999 at the same time
Bill Feldman was telling David Ettridge that they had reneged on the above
agreement. Peter Prenzler, as a spokesmen for their group appeared on national
television on Sunday 12th December stating "negotiations are still continuing",
clearly a blatant lie as they had already turned their backs on Pauline and
registered in Ian Petersen’s name two days previously. All ties with
PHON had already been severed by their own actions.
Their new party has been founded on the betrayal and deceit of Pauline Hanson
while she is out of the country. The orchestrators have allowed personalities
and anger to rule over rational thinking. They are offering "free" membership
to Pauline Hanson's One Nation members who defect, this act alone raising
serious questions as to how the venture is being financed. The number of
recycled political identities already in place and hovering in the wings
of their new party sets the alarm bells ringing as to just who or what is
the motivating force behind all of this.
One point is very clear and that is Pauline Hanson's One Nation was always
intended to be the victim. The media in their inimitable style have given
the rebels all the air time they required and completely ignored the PHON
Queensland Executive. Apart from the original press conference we have been
denied all other media. It is suspiciously likely that the same puppeteers
pull the strings of both media and rebel party alike. Based on past media
performance in relation to PHON, it would be naive to suspect otherwise.
The 7.30am News Broadcast on radio 4BC on 22nd December, 1999 reported :
"The five remaining One Nation MPs will move today to sever all ties with
the One Nation party as they attempt to amend the name of their new party
from "One Nation Queensland" to "City Country Alliance". Their rhetoric in
claiming to be trying to preserve One Nation was made an absolute mockery
of by this announcement.
And what of the "Missing Millions" lie that has been perpetuated by the rebels.
You don’t need an accounting degree to work that one out as there was
never the claimed $5.0+ million to begin with. All monies that have come
into PHON have been properly accounted for. It would appear the problem lies
in the inability on the part of the aggressors to read a set of financial
records or their intentional misreading to raise doubts in the minds of members.
(see included sheet)
PHON Queensland no longer has any sitting Members of Parliament. PHON Queensland
also no longer has that group of people working behind the scenes to ensure
our failure. We also now know why attempts to improve the structure in PHON
Queensland have been hampered at every turn. We also no longer have to work
under the threat of having MPs walk away from the party if we don’t
exceed to their demands. On the other hand, all those nasty and negative
qualities, the lies, deception and hatred that we have had to endure are
now the sole property of the new breakaway party.
We ask that you please consider carefully before taking up their "free" offer
to leave Pauline Hanson's One Nation. What you are being told about their
new party is not necessarily what you will get. Pauline Hanson’s One
Nation, in Queensland particularly has been steadily building towards a solid
democratic and workable structure. The veracity of the attacks on PHON is
an indication of how much of a threat you all pose to the establishment by
supporting Pauline, to throw it all away now after three very hard years
of united achievement would be a tragic waste.
Should you decide to leave PHON and support the breakaway party, just bear
in mind that your support will totally condone their undemocratic assault
against PHON and any future calls from you for democracy will amount to nothing
more than hypocrisy. The leaders of the new party have now twice betrayed
the membership of PHON and any thought that they wouldn’t do it again
to their new party if they don’t get their own way would be pure dreaming.
The problems facing Australia and its people, the same ones that motivated
us all to join PHON originally, have not been solved and definitely can’t
and won’t be solved by supporting a Queensland breakaway party, especially
if that party is led by people with a track record of betrayal.
Pauline has remained totally loyal and faithful to PHON members and supporters
as well as the Australian people as a whole, of that there can be no question.
She has never wavered in her quest to make Australia a better place for all
of us. Now is the time to show that same kind of loyalty by remaining with
Pauline and your party as we focus on what you and the Queensland public
voted for, that is to work together to build a strong united political force
to ensure a safe and prosperous Australia for our children and grandchildren.
Now is the time to test your resolve, to test just how much you believe in
Australia. Unity is the only key to our success.
Yours sincerely,
Allan W. Doak, Vice-President, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Queensland
A great deal of effort has been made recently
to confuse One Nation members and to discredit One Nation’s National
Office over wild claims by Heather Hill and others that ‘millions’
of dollars are missing from One Nation’s bank accounts.
This is a lie that has served the attempts by this small breakaway group
to discredit the National Office and win support for and justify their
treacherous disloyalty.
The truth is as follows:
The preparation of the party’s Annual Return to the Australian Electoral
Commission was prepared in strict accordance with the guidelines supplied
to the party by the Australian Electoral Commission. This return was prepared
by and lodged by Ronald Targett, the party’s accountant / auditor. This
1999 return detailed all banking by all of the "units" of the party –
units being each Branch, each State Office, each State Campaign Account and
each bank account operated by the party or any of its units. The total of
all the party’s banking was shown on the annual return and it is in
not understanding these totals and deliberately misrepresenting the figures
shown on the return to the media that Heather Hill has attempted to discredit
the administration of the party.
Much of the confusion is based upon the fact that when the party received
its Federal funding, the $2.86 million cheque was banked into the party’s
account for clearing. Some 3 weeks later $2.6 million of the Federal funding
was transferred into the special trust account which was created for
administering that money. In the TWO separate banking processes of the SAME
money, we in fact banked $5.46 million, although we only received $2.86 million.
In the annual return this ‘double’ banking creates the illusion
that we received twice as much money than we actually did and gives rise
to the cries for "where are the missing millions". It was the same money
being moved from one account to the other but it was recorded as required
by the AEC as ‘total banking".
The confusing ‘total banking’ figure was made worse by the receipt
into party unit accounts of Electoral funding in Queensland (although this
was all dispersed to meet costs), the movement of money to the NSW State
Election account and the return of most of it by reimbursement from the NSW
State Electoral Commission which has created a ‘total banking’
impression that far exceeds the true income of the party. It was in every
instance a movement of the same monies from one account to the other that
created an aggregate amount of total banking that is misleading.
There are not any missing ‘millions’ but a deliberate misunderstanding
of an accounting procedure, which if you read it correctly is perfectly clear
and detailed as required by the Australian Electoral Commission. Our opponents
have sought to use this to confuse, discredit and divide us. Fortunately
those mature members who put their loyalty and strength of character ahead
of the words of people who have betrayed this party, will not be fooled by
yet another attempt to bring One Nation to its knees.
Thank you for your continuing strength and support.
The AEC will be auditing the party’s records in early February.
David Ettridge