Lee Hanson, daughter of Pauline Hanson, reportedly worked as a senior adviser to a New South Wales One Nation senator from Tasmania without the required ministerial approval. The role, paying between $150,000 and $180,000 annually, allegedly bypassed proper parliamentary procedures for alternative work base arrangements. Hanson also appears to have engaged in One Nation campaign activities during work hours, potentially breaching the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act.
The alleged circumvention of parliamentary rules for staff employment and the potential use of work hours for political campaigning raise questions about the proper use of public funds and adherence to employment regulations within the Australian Parliament.
Lee Hanson, daughter of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, has reportedly been working as a senior adviser to a New South Wales senator from Tasmania without the necessary ministerial approval. Under parliamentary rules, staff working outside of Canberra or their parliamentarian's home base require approval from the special minister of state. However, Guardian Australia has learned that when Senator Sean Bell appointed Hanson, he did not submit the required request for an alternative work base arrangement. The role, which pays between $150,000 and $180,000 annually, saw a contract variation approved by the Department of Finance without the minister undertaking the required consideration of 'special circumstances'.
Further analysis of Hanson's social media activity suggests she has been regularly campaigning for One Nation in Tasmania during work hours. Such activities, if undertaken without leave, would be in breach of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act, which stipulates staff are employed to assist parliamentarians and not for party political purposes. Hanson has been active in expanding the party's presence in Tasmania, opening new branches and claiming thousands of new members. While many posts are made after hours, numerous campaign-related activities and appearances as a One Nation representative have been documented during normal business hours.