One nation broke electoral laws report 20170803 p5vqyw.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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AEC plane investigation "hoo-ha": Hanson

AAP

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Pauline Hanson has accused both the Australian Electoral Commission and her own former staff of incompetence as she vented her frustration at official probes into her party.

Senator Hanson on Thursday slammed the commission for failing to provide her a verdict in its investigation into the ownership of a Jabiru aircraft emblazoned with Ms Hanson's face and the One Nation logo.

The AEC launched the probe after an ABC report uncovered evidence the plane was purchased for the party by property developer Bill McNee.

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"We have been told through our legal representative that even their legal representative said it's all basically a lot of hoo-ha and it's unwarranted," she said.

"I want an answer to all this.

"Are they that incompetent that they can't come down with a decision?"

Senator Hanson also took a jab at her party's Queensland branch office staff for failing to ensure it satisfied the state's political disclosure laws.

In May this year, the Electoral Commission of Queensland wrote to One Nation detailing compliance problems dating back to 2014-15.

Breaches included failing to properly disclose party spending, lodge returns on time, and notify donors of their disclosure requirements, according to documents obtained by the ABC under freedom of information.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday said she'd discussed the potential breach with Attorney General Yvette D'Ath.

"The attorney general is following that up as a matter of urgency," she said.

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But Senator Hanson said the staff involved have since been sacked and systems improved.

"The party was in disarray when I took it over," she added.

"We had incompetent staff ... (but now) I think the party is running extremely well."

She said the ECQ now had a good working relationship with the party, under new office administrator Greg Smith.

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In March, Mr Smith wrote to the ECQ seeking more time to disclose 2016 donation details due to computer system upgrades.

Later that week he blamed the closure of the party's office when Cyclone Debbie hit for failing to meet the extended deadline.

On Thursday, Senator Hanson said the cyclone had caused delays, but the information was provided within a matter of days of the time required.

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