Hanson Offers Olive Branch to Coalition in Bid to Oust Albanese

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has extended an offer to work with the Liberal and National parties to remove the current Labor government, urging them to put aside past grievances. The comments came during a Q&A session with Karl Stefanovic at the Conservative Political Action Conference Australia (CPAC Australia) in Brisbane.

Hanson described Liberal frontbencher Angus Taylor as a "smarmy management consultant" and questioned the Coalition's credibility on climate policy, citing their role in legislating the safeguard mechanism and Paris Agreement commitments. "The Liberals signed us up to Paris and Net Zero. The Liberals legislated the safeguard mechanism, and Labor locked the targets into law and made them even worse," she stated. "They signed us up to this mess, so why would we trust them to get us out of it?"

She also criticized the Coalition for establishing the eSafety Commissioner, an office she has vowed to abolish, arguing it infringes on free speech. "So when the Liberals stand up here and talk about free speech, ask them one question: 'Who put Karen in charge?'" Hanson said. "Then ask yourself if you trust their answer. Only a One Nation government can be trusted to scrap the eSafety Commissioner."

Despite these criticisms, Hanson expressed a willingness to forgive the Liberal Party's past actions, including her own expulsion and imprisonment. "I know what it means to put personal history aside and turn the other cheek. The Liberal Party threw me out, then they threw me in jail," she said. "I do have reasons to hold a grudge but I also have children and grandchildren. If I can put personal grievances aside for the sake of this country, others should be able to do the same."

Nationals Leader Matt Canavan, present at the event, reminded Hanson of her previous vows to unseat Taylor. Canavan also spoke about the importance of Australian manufacturing and jokingly referred to the creation of babies as contributing to national productivity.

During his own address, Taylor denied he was "splitting the conservative vote," stating that the Labor government was the entity dividing the country. He reiterated promises to scrap Australia's Net Zero commitment and reduce migration levels. Notably absent was rival Andrew Hastie, who has previously stated he would not work with One Nation.

The CPAC Australia event, held at Brisbane's Royal International Convention Centre, also saw protests outside, with rainbow-colored demonstrators gathering near the venue. Karl Stefanovic, hosting the Q&A, quipped about his recent termination from his previous role, thanking the event for "rudely interrupting my unemployment."