One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson drew a standing-room-only crowd to the Sale Greyhound Complex on Monday night, visiting the electorate to launch the party’s local campaign for the upcoming November state election.
Addressing the packed invitation-only event, Senator Hanson put local representation and state debt at the centre of her visit, introducing Steve Goodman as the candidate for East Gippsland and Bianca Wilkie to contest
South Gippsland.
Senator Hanson spoke on the heels of One Nation’s recent state by-election victory at Secret Harbour in Western Australia — which she said sent “shockwaves” through the nation — and her recent visits to Tasmania to listen to
struggling farmers.
Away from the cameras, Hanson spoke quietly and confidently about Victoria’s fiscal troubles, highlighting the state government’s $200 billion debt burden.
“The public really have no idea of the wash of money that is going on,” Hanson said.
“One Nation has made headway in other parts of Australia, and I believe Victoria will follow.”
Thanking the new local candidates “from the bottom of her heart” for stepping up, Senator Hanson urged supporters to rally behind the campaign.
“I think we can make a big change for the people of Victoria. It’s people power,” Hanson said, noting the party’s momentum in recent news polls and the strong booth presence that drove their WA win.
THE CANDIDATES
Born on the banks of the Macalister River, East Gippsland candidate Steve Goodman recently returned from Geraldton, WA, to his rural block at Tinamba. The 51-year-old earthmoving businessman said he is keen to bring accountability to state spending.
Scathing of current government messaging and Victoria’s financial position, Goodman told the Advertiser he was running to actively create change rather than just talk about the state of politics, adding that he fully supported party policy.
South Gippsland candidate Bianca Wilkie, a mother of two and wife of a small business operator, said she was proud to call Gippsland home.
With a professional background in nursing and emergency healthcare, Wilkie holds degrees in nursing, paramedicine, and specialist community care. She said South Gippsland deserves a strong front-line voice that understands the reality of raising a family and running a small business.
“I believe government should work for the people who fund it, with accountability, transparency, and investment that delivers real outcomes,” Wilkie said.
“I want to ensure our families, businesses, farmers, young people and communities get a fair share and a fair go. I’m looking forward to getting out and talking to the people of the electorate.”
During her address, Senator Hanson reinforced that One Nation’s policies are often crafted by candidates with real business experience, contrasting them with career politicians and lamenting the decline of unsupported Australian manufacturing and fishing industries.
