Intense lobbying behind One Nation's Trump tickets coup

The pestering of Australian diplomats in the US by a One Nation senator led to the party scoring tickets to Donald Trump's inauguration.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson declared she had been "gifted" an invitation to Friday's event (US time) in Washington, saying it was a surprise.

She explained they had been arranged through a Republican congressman in the US state of Illinois, Adam Kinzinger.

Queensland One Nation Senator Roberts said he would attend the event "as a guest of the US Government" and said he and Senator Hanson had received invitations, while the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had not.

But a statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said diplomatic staff in Washington were asked to find the tickets after a number of requests by Senator Roberts.

"Following multiple requests from Senator Roberts, the embassy in Washington asked a number of congressional offices if they had any spare tickets available," DFAT said.

Diplomatic officials were advised last Friday by Congressman Kinzinger's office that they had two tickets available, reports Buzzfeed News.

Senator Hanson said she would not attend the inauguration, citing work commitments while Senator Roberts will stay at home to recover from a medical operation.

One Nation senator Brian Burston will now attend the event representing the party.