Western Australian One Nation MP quits over lack of party ‘leadership and direction’
Pauline Hanson's One Nation has splintered in Western Australia's upper house with the dramatic resignation of one of its members, citing "enduring poor party leadership".
East Metropolitan MLC Charles Smith made a short statement on the floor of state parliament last night where he told the house he would now sit as an independent.
"Today is the end of a long line of frustrations for me, and I advise the house that I have resigned from Pauline Hanson's One Nation and stand as an independent member," he said.
Mr Smith left citing issues with the parties state leadership. Facebook
Mr Smith is a former policeman and was elected to parliament in 2017. The party's two other MPs are state leader Colin Tincknell, and Robin Scott.
One Nation had been able to provide a substantial block to the Labor government's legislation, but the party has been plagued by infighting.
Mr Smith said he felt "suffocated by a complete lack of leadership and direction" from Mr Tincknell.
"It seems that Queensland just wanted bums on seats in WA," he said in a statement today.
He will now sit in Parliament on a growing cross-bench. Facebook
"We usually don't know the 'party-direction' until we meet on the morning that parliament sits.
"Nobody knows what is going on. It is not hard to send an email stating what position will be taken on each issue, yet that doesn't happen."
Mr Tincknell is being sought for comment.
- with AAP
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