Dutton praises hanson s smart adviser 20170309 p5vb44.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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This was published 9 years ago

Dutton praises Hanson's 'smart' adviser

AAP

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Peter Dutton has some strong praise for the man behind Pauline Hanson.

The immigration minister credited the One Nation leader's chief of staff with her renewed elevation in Australian politics.

"She's got a very smart mind in James Ashby," he told 2GB's Ray Hadley on Thursday.

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"I think to have somebody like (James) Ashby and with his capacity behind her coming up with these lines, I think has improved her public image and persona and she's obviously got a product to market."

Mr Ashby was scripting a lot of what Senator Hanson was saying, Mr Dutton said.

He cited her decision to recant on comments about children's vaccinations on Thursday, which he at first suspected might have been deeply-held views.

But he did warn Senator Hanson and her team about consistent messaging.

"The trouble with media and social media now is you can't say one thing on the west coast and hope it doesn't get back to the east coast," Mr Dutton said.

Mr Ashby found himself in the spotlight when he initiated legal against his former boss, Speaker Peter Slipper whom he accused of sexual harassment.

He took up the One Nation post after piloting a plane for Ms Hanson.

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