Pauline Hanson defends star recruit for blunder during live interview
Updated . First published at
One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson has defended Barnaby Joyce for his blunder during a live interview, saying at least he is not “lying to avoid embarrassment”.
The party’s star recruit was forced to walk back his remarks after giving incorrect details on their position to halt foreign homeownership during an appearance on Sky News last night.
Barnaby Joyce appeared on Sky News last night. Sky News
He said One Nation’s position to force foreign owners to sell their homes within two years or face repossession would be extended to permanent residents.
This morning, Hanson has issued a lengthy statement to clarify that foreign owners refers to temporary visa holders and foreign citizens residing overseas.
“Foreign owners – temporary visa holders and foreign citizens residing overseas – would be given two years to sell their Australian residential properties under One Nation’s policy,” she said.
“Permanent residents have been accepted to settle in Australia permanently. They live here, work here, pay taxes here and build their lives here. Many are on the path to citizenship.
“One Nation’s policy does not require them to sell their homes.”
Hanson directly defended Joyce, saying he had corrected the record and told the truth.
“Australians would rather see politicians be upfront and do this instead of lying to avoid embarrassment,” she said.
Joyce had told Sky News permanent residents would also be booted from their homes under One Nation’s foreign home owners policy.
“Yeah it does. That’s my belief in policy it does,” he said.
Following the interview, Joyce called back into the studio to ask that he answer the question again after speaking to his colleagues.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said Barnaby has corrected himself instead of lying to save face. Alex Ellinghausen
He clarified the party would not boot permanent residents out of their homes and the policy would only apply to foreign citizens who are not permanent residents.
“On further investigation and discussions with One Nation, no, we are not going to be kicking permanent residents out of their house,” he said.
“The concept is quite clear. We want people to progress through to Australian citizenship but that should not come at the expense of permanent residents being divested of their house.”
Joyce’s junior colleague, One Nation Senator Sean Bell, also tried to explain the position earlier this morning before Hanson’s statement.
He told Sky News the foreigners forced to sell their properties would “depend on the type of visa they’re on”.
“We need to look at making sure those, you become Australian citizens, or they are required to make sure those homes become available for Australia,” he said.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has become the party's star recruit. Getty Images
The federal government has extended the ban on foreigners, including temporary residents, from buying existing homes until June 30, 2029.
Foreigners can, however, buy new homes, an existing home for redevelopment, an off-the-plan property and vacant land, according to the Australian Tax Office.
Foreign companies can also purchase existing homes to provide housing for their workers.
Hanson said her position would effectively extend the existing ban to new homes.
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