The setup
One Nation is packing its bags for a new national headquarters in Brisbane. The party is moving into a three-storey office in the Spring Hill neighborhood, a spot that, according to The Australian, is valued at roughly $8 million. The plot thickens because the building was recently purchased by Hanrine, a property investment company owned by Australian mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.
The vibe check
Unsurprisingly, the connection is raising eyebrows. However, One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce is playing it cool. He told News24 that the party is paying “commercial rates” for the lease, saying, “I don’t live in her pocket.” Joyce insisted the party is footing the bill from its own wallet rather than relying on taxpayer funding, which is typically reserved for elected officials’ offices, not party headquarters.
A spokesperson for Hancock Prospecting echoed that sentiment, confirming the firm holds various commercial properties and that they aren’t giving any “mate’s rates” or freebies to tenants, political or otherwise.
Why it matters
This isn't just about a new office lease; it’s another chapter in the long-running saga between One Nation and Rinehart. Recent reporting has highlighted that Senator Pauline Hanson considers Rinehart an “unofficial policy adviser.” From staying at Rinehart’s mansion to using her private security detail and accepting a $1.5 million private plane, the two are undeniably linked. While One Nation insists everything is strictly business, the optics of the party’s operations being so heavily intertwined with one of the country's wealthiest individuals is lowkey keeping political observers on edge.
