Pauline Hanson Under Scrutiny Over Taxpayer-Funded and Private Flights

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has faced scrutiny over her use of flights, including those chartered at taxpayer expense and others provided by companies associated with mining executive Gina Rinehart. These events have drawn attention to parliamentary expense rules regarding "value for money" and compliance with South Australia's political donation laws.

Parliamentary Expenses and College Event Attendance

In October 2025, Senator Hanson charged taxpayers $8,870 for a chartered flight from Tamworth to Avalon Airport. The flight was for her to attend an event at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong. The event marked the official opening of Nicholas Hancock House, a student accommodation building, and honored a $2 million donation from Gina Rinehart to the private agricultural college.

A spokesperson for Senator Hanson stated that the chartered flight was the cheapest available option, citing a lack of commercial flights between Tamworth and Avalon. Senator Hanson had been in Tamworth for a party dinner on October 18. The flight departed Tamworth at 8:33 AM on October 19 and landed at Avalon before midday. Marcus Oldham College is approximately a 25-minute drive from Avalon Airport.

Hanson's office stated she attended the event at Ms. Rinehart's invitation, recognizing the college as a "home away from home" for Queensland students. Discussions were also held regarding HECS loans for students at the private institution, which receives no taxpayer funding. During a question and answer session, Senator Hanson stated she was unaware of a federal tax on the Fee-Help scheme for private college students and would investigate the matter. Ms. Rinehart did not attend the event.

Later on October 19, Senator Hanson traveled from Melbourne's Essendon Airport to Sydney on Ms. Rinehart’s Gulfstream G700 jet. This flight was not initially declared by Senator Hanson in her federal register of interests. She updated the register after media reports detailed the undeclared flight. Her office stated she traveled to Essendon airport via hire car. On October 20, Senator Hanson flew from Sydney to Brisbane, costing taxpayers an additional $1,090.64.

Parliamentary rules require Members of Parliament and Senators to ensure claims meet a “dominant purpose test” of parliamentary business and demonstrate “value for money.”

South Australian Campaign Flights and Donation Laws

Separately, in mid-March, Senator Hanson and One Nation's lead South Australian candidate, Cory Bernardi, used a private plane owned by S. Kidman & Co, a company majority owned by Gina Rinehart, for their state election campaign. The flights covered locations including Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Maitland, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, and Coober Pedy.

These flights occurred after new South Australian laws banning private donations to political parties were implemented in July of the previous year. These laws prohibit electoral donations to registered political parties, members of parliament, candidates, or groups, with a $5,000 cap on individual donations or loans. Breaching these laws can result in fines or imprisonment.

The legislation also requires third parties intending to spend over $10,000 on electoral matters to register, though Ms. Rinehart and her companies have not registered. State laws do not apply if a donation is used for a federal purpose.

Mr. Bernardi stated that he would pay for his seat on the plane, asserting the flights were not an in-kind political donation and were expenses for his state upper house campaign. Senator Hanson similarly stated her understanding that Mr. Bernardi would cover the cost of the flights, asserting the matter was "nothing to do" with her as a passenger. Mr. Bernardi acknowledged Ms. Rinehart as a "friend" but did not immediately know the total cost of the flights, which are estimated to cost a minimum of $3,000 per hour for private plane operation.

The Labor Party contacted the South Australian Electoral Commissioner to investigate the flights' compliance with the Electoral Act. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas called for an explanation from One Nation. The SA Electoral Commission has stated that contravening the registration requirement for third parties spending over $10,000 is a criminal offense.

Declaration of Interests and Past Scrutiny

Senator Hanson has faced previous scrutiny regarding the declaration of flights received from companies associated with Ms. Rinehart.

• Last year, Senator Hanson did not initially declare that she and her chief of staff received flights from Hancock Prospecting, Ms. Rinehart's company, for travel to and from Florida, where they stayed at Ms. Rinehart’s Palm Beach mansion.
• She was cleared of wrongdoing in 2024 for claiming almost $5,000 in taxpayer funds to attend Ms. Rinehart's 70th birthday party in Perth. Her office provided diary entries showing meetings with Hancock Prospecting executives to justify the trip as parliamentary duties.
• Senator Hanson was also questioned regarding six additional flights taken on Gina Rinehart's company jets that were reportedly not declared within the required 35-day period.

Barnaby Joyce has previously identified Ms. Rinehart as a donor to One Nation.