Pauline Hanson reveals Victorian state election candidates, bans ABC, The Guardian, The Age from press conference
4 min read
August 3, 2026
Pauline Hanson has blocked three media outlets from attending the announcement of her party’s Victorian election candidates.
In Melbourne on Monday, Senator Hanson revealed the seven candidates and one incumbent who would run for the party at the November election, but reporters from the ABC, The Age and The Guardian were denied entry.
Media allowed to ask questions of the career politician queried why the outlets were banned.
“I’m sorry that democracy doesn’t happen on the ABC at all. And I’m sick of it, it’s not fair and just in their reporting,” Senator Hanson said.
“So if you want to criticise and have a go at me not putting the truth across, you’re not giving me the truth of democracy either.
“And so therefore, no, I’m not going to have them.”
The tense press conference was reminiscent of Donald Trump’s attacks on “fake news” outlets.
Ahead of the federal Farrer by-election in May, One Nation chief of staff James Ashby booted local ABC reporters from the Goulburn-Murray area out of a press conference.
Pauline Hanson announced on Monday the first eight One Nation candidates who will contest the November Victorian election.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson banned three media organisations from the candidate press conference.
Senator Hanson’s landmark debut address to the National Press Club in June included a tirade at Guardian journalist Sarah Martin.
“Honestly, you never give up. I’ve never seen a person that’s such a trashy journalist, you know, and what you put out all the time,” Senator Hanson said.
“You’ve got this obsession with constantly trying to pull down myself, my party, or Mrs (Gina) Rinehart.”
‘November to remember’ pledge but no policies
One Nation Victoria president Warren Pickering will lead the ticket for the November 28 election.
Monday’s candidate announcement revealed little-to-no policies to inform Victorian voters.
At the press conference, Mr Pickering said the election would mark a “November to remember”.
“There is plenty to be excited about. As of today, One Nation is officially a part of the Victorian political landscape and will remain so,” he said.
“We are officially putting the major parties on notice. We intend for this to be a November to remember, and we are contesting to govern.”
Mr Pickering had no policy details to share.The Victorian One Nation leader did suggest a
One Nation government would look at how expensive it might be to abandon the mammoth Suburban Rail Loop project, the party would have policies focused on empowering agriculture, and it supported a powerful royal commission into the state’s construction sector.
Newly announced Victorian One Nation leader Warren Pickering gave few policy details at the candidate announcement.
Pressed by reporters on what policies the party would push for, Senator Hanson stepped in.
“We are not making policy on the run here. Our policies will be released in time,” she said.
The party leader said she was confident One Nation’s growing popularity around the country would translate to Victoria.
“There’s a lot of people from Melbourne, especially Melbourne, not just rural and regional Victoria, but across Melbourne itself who are fed up with the way the state is going,” she said.
“A lot of people are actually moving out of this state because the business is going under, they don’t feel safe in this state. The prosperity is gone. They want change.
“People want change in this state and they’re crying out for that change. They don’t trust the major political parties at all.”
Pauline Hanson announced Warren Pickering (right) would lead One Nation in Victoria.
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Pauline Hanson Bans The ABC From Press Conference (Read 211 times)
