One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's flights from London to Sicily, with stops in Rome, were paid for by mining magnate Gina Rinehart, according to an updated entry in Hanson's parliamentary register of interests.
Hanson's trip, which took place from July 11 to July 16, also included attendance at a Dolce & Gabbana fashion event in Sicily. Hanson reported covering her own accommodation, meals, and daily expenses during the excursion.
The senator faced scrutiny after being seen with Rinehart at a luxury Italian resort and the fashion show. Upon her return to Australia, Hanson stated that the trip did not cost taxpayers anything.
"It didn't cost the taxpayer one cent for my trip overseas. Not one cent," Hanson told Seven West Media. Rinehart also previously gifted Hanson a private plane in April.
This trip occurred shortly before Hanson lost an appeal over a Federal Court finding that she had made a racist remark towards Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi in 2022. The court had ruled her social media post telling Faruqi to "piss off back to Pakistan" was "seriously offensive" and a "strong form of racism." Hanson expressed disappointment with the ruling and was considering a further appeal to the High Court.
