Pauline Hanson confirms a major move that could boost her chances of becoming prime minister

Pauline Hanson has confirmed she is considering leaving the Senate to contest a seat in the House of Representatives at the next federal election.

Speaking on Adelaide radio station FIVEAA while in South Australia for the swearing-in of One Nation’s new state parliamentary team, Hanson said a lower house run was now clearly “on the map”.

The confirmation follows comments from her chief of staff, James Ashby, who revealed on Sky News on Monday that Hanson was considering a move from the Senate to a seat in the lower house, where she lives.

The move would open the way for Hanson to become prime minister, as Australia’s leader is required to sit in the House of Representatives by convention.

For Hanson to secure the premiership, One Nation would have to win a majority in the lower house or command confidence and support in the event of a minority government.

Hanson was first elected to Parliament as an independent in the Queensland seat of Oxley in 1996, after being rejected by the Liberal Party but remaining on the ballot.

Hanson said critics had long argued she was limited by her role in the House of Lords.

“Yes, it’s planned, and I have to take that into account,” she said.

Pauline Hanson (right) confirmed she is considering a move from the Senate to the House of Representatives

“I was surprised when I heard it on TV last night, but it has been discussed.”

Hanson would likely stand in the seat of Wright of Capricornia, where her properties are listed on her parliamentary register of interests.

“A lot of people who criticize me say, ‘Oh, she can’t get anywhere because she’s in the House of Lords,’” she said.

‘So don’t underestimate me and what I could or couldn’t do.’

Hanson is heartened by One Nation’s strong performance in the South Australian election, where the party defied early predictions and recorded a primary vote of around 23 per cent, ahead of the Liberals on 19 per cent.

“We have people at the grassroots who know what it’s like to struggle and who genuinely want to represent others,” she said.

‘You are there to work for the people. You are not there to collect your wages or work for your constituents.”

Hanson said she was not committed to politics indefinitely and was already thinking about succession.

Hanson (right) is in South Australia to attend the swearing-in of its seven new One Nation MPs

“I look forward to the day I retire,” she said.

“If you think they’re going to carry me out of that place in a coffin, it’s not going to happen. It’s about putting the right people in the right place to continue the legacy I started. It’s not just about Pauline Hanson.’

Hanson said the next phase for One Nation would focus on economic stability, cost of living pressures, agricultural and energy policies.

“The country is a big mess,” she said.

“Government spending is out of control, agriculture is dying and we are not using the resources we have. That’s why we have to keep fighting.’

One Nation goes into next weekend’s Farrer by-election as clear favorites following the resignation of former opposition leader Sussan Ley, but the party has come under renewed scrutiny over the political past of its candidate, David Farley.

Opponents have questioned Farley’s long-term involvement with One Nation, pointing to his previous involvement with other political parties.

He signed up to join Labor as a branch member in 2021 and made another personal donation to Labour’s election fund in 2023. Mr Farley was also previously a member of the NSW Nationals.

David Farley (left) is considered the front-runner heading into Saturday’s Farrer by-election

Nationals leader Matt Canavan used that history to cast doubt on the stability and cohesion of One Nation.

“I mean, they call themselves One Nation,” Senator Canavan told Sky News on Tuesday.

“But there are a lot of egos in that party… they just seem to have a hard time staying together, staying together,” he said.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has strongly rejected suggestions that her party is plagued by internal divisions, insisting that past tensions were caused by persistent pressure from both major parties rather than personal ambition or poor organisation.

“Both political parties over time have done everything they can to bring me and the party down,” she said.

Hanson said the pressure was causing fear among MPs, especially about the potential loss of funding and parliamentary status.

“That led to people panicking about their funding and their status,” she said.

She said these experiences had shaped her leadership approach and vowed not to repeat past mistakes, warning newly elected MPs that they would be held to strict expectations.