Key Takeaways
- One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and chief‑of‑staff James Ashby publicly disagreed over Ashby’s decision to eject regional ABC journalists from a press event in Albury on the eve of the Farrer byelection.
- Ashby justified the removal by saying the ABC crew reported to Canberra, while Hanson expressed confusion, questioning why local ABC staff were barred.
- The incident follows earlier mixed messages from Ashby and Hanson about Hanson possibly running for a lower‑house seat and contradictory statements regarding a scuffle involving Liberal senator James Paterson and a One Nation volunteer.
- Hanson initially apologised for the Paterson altercation, later withdrew that apology after Ashby blamed Paterson, and ultimately pledged to stand by the volunteer.
- One Nation is attempting to win the Farrer seat from the Coalition, leveraging its high polling, while facing scrutiny over candidate David Farley’s former Labor aspirations and preferential flows from the Coalition.
- The media clash underscores internal communication problems within One Nation as the party ramps up its campaign in the final days before the byelection.
Background of the Albury Media Incident
On Friday, just before a One Nation press conference featuring Pauline Hanson, Barnaby Joyce and Farrer candidate David Farley, chief‑of‑staff James Ashby ordered a two‑person ABC crew based in nearby Wodonga to leave the venue. Exclusive footage obtained by Nine News shows Ashby and a One Nation volunteer escorting the journalists out while they questioned who had issued the directive. Ashby told the reporters that the decision was his alone and suggested they seek clarification from the ABC’s Canberra boss.
Hanson’s Reaction and Confusion
During the exchange, Hanson appeared just as bewildered as the ABC team. According to the video, she asked Ashby, “Why, if they’re local ABC? Rural and regional?” indicating her belief that the journalists served the immediate community. Ashby replied that the crew’s reporting line ran back to ABC Canberra, prompting Hanson to retort, “They shouldn’t have gone.” This brief dialogue highlighted a clear split in understanding between the party leader and her chief‑of‑staff regarding the treatment of regional media.
Context of Recent Mixed Messages
The Albury incident is not an isolated misstep; it follows a week of contradictory statements within One Nation. Earlier in the week, Ashby told Sky News that Hanson might consider running for a lower‑house seat at the next federal election. The following day, Hanson said a move was under consideration but confessed she was “surprised” that Ashby had raised the idea on television. Such back‑and‑forth commentary has fueled perceptions of internal disarray and uncertain leadership direction.
Paterson Altercation and Shifting Apologies
Adding to the turmoil, a separate confrontation occurred outside an Albury pre‑poll booth involving Liberal senator James Paterson and a One Nation volunteer. Paterson claimed he was assaulted after the volunteer seized his phone once he realised he was being filmed. Farley condemned the act, and Hanson initially issued an apology for the volunteer’s behaviour. That night, however, Ashby blamed Paterson, alleging he had “rage‑baited” the pensioner. The next day Hanson retracted her earlier apology, declared she had not viewed the full footage when she first apologised, and vowed to stand firmly behind the volunteer.
Impact on One Nation’s Campaign Narrative
These episodes have overshadowed One Nation’s efforts to frame the Farrer byelection as a historic opportunity to wrest the seat from the Coalition for the first time in the party’s 77‑year history. The party is riding a wave of record‑high polling and hopes to capitalise on voter discontent in the regional electorate. Nonetheless, the media ejecting episode and the Paterson controversy have provided opponents with ammunition to question One Nation’s professionalism and cohesion.
Candidate David Farley’s Background and Party Dynamics
David Farley, the One Nation candidate for Farrer, has faced additional scrutiny after reports emerged that he previously attempted to stand as a Labor candidate. While this revelation has cast a shadow over his candidacy, Farley remains the frontrunner in the race. The Coalition has signaled it will direct its preferences to One Nation, a strategic move aimed at bolstering the minor party’s chances against the Climate 200‑backed independent Michelle Milthorpe, who swept every booth in Albury during the 2025 election.
Campaign Headquarters and Voter Concentration
All major contenders and their party leaders—including Liberal leader Angus Taylor, Nationals leader Matt Canavan, and Pauline Hanson—have established their campaign bases in Albury, where almost half of the Farrer electorate resides. This concentration has intensified the final days of campaigning, with rallies, door‑knocking, and media appearances centered in the regional town. The Friday press conference that precipitated the ABC ejection was part of this final push to secure voter support before Saturday’s byelection.
ABC Journalists’ Perspective and Public Reaction
As they were escorted out, the ABC journalists reminded those present that they are a taxpayer‑funded news organisation serving the local community. They repeatedly asked who had authorized their removal, to which Ashby responded that they should direct their questions to the ABC’s chief of staff in Canberra. The exchange, captured on video, quickly circulated online, prompting criticism from media watchdogs and supporters of press freedom who viewed the ejection as an unnecessary hindrance to regional reporting.
Overall Assessment and Outlook
The sequence of events—ranging from the media ejection, to conflicting statements about Hanson’s future political ambitions, to the fluctuating stance on the Paterson altercation—reveals a pattern of inconsistent communication within One Nation’s leadership. While the party seeks to translate its polling advantage into an electoral victory in Farrer, these internal contradictions risk undermining its credibility with voters who value transparency and reliability. How One Nation resolves these disputes in the coming days will likely influence not only the outcome of the byelection but also the public’s perception of the party’s capacity to govern cohesively.