Dear John

Major party no-shows at forums show lack of commitment to democracy

This week the Queensland state election was called, and what a difference campaigning is today than when our party was formed almost 30 years ago. 

Democracy is very different today because of mass media.

The only way politicians used to reach voters was to face them. In person. The people got to see the politicians asking for their vote, speak to them, ask questions and demand answers.

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Can we ask for your support for the Queensland campaign? We know things are tight for many families, and we are out there fighting specially for you. However if you could help, we would be grateful. 

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Voters once got to see the politicians debate the issues right in front of them, often at well-attended ‘townhall’ events. People would often travel for a day or more on horseback just to be there.

That’s real dedication to democracy for you!

Townhall events are a feature of Australian democracy that One Nation wants to bring back. One Nation politicians and candidates never shy away from public debate or meeting voters in person.

One Nation's representatives understand that politics is first and foremost about people.

In Queensland – facing an election in just three weeks – One Nation candidates have been preparing for public forums to debate the issues in front of live audiences only to learn that Labor and LNP candidates have pulled out at the last minute.

Across Queensland, and in many other parts of Australia, our candidates have held over 300 townhall type events in the last 12 months. They have been popular and very well attended. 

(Listen to Pauline Hanson's first radio interview of the 2024 Queensland State election)

It’s happened a number of times across several electorates: Labor and the LNP just won’t face voters in person.

Labor and the LNP are both weak on accountability. No matter which one of them are in government, they always have something to hide from the public which have elected them.

They carefully stage manage announcements, then scurry from the cameras when the hard questions come out.

Enough is enough. In addition to One Nation representatives holding regular townhall events in their seats if elected, the party will also seek to introduce real-time reporting of government expenditure, compulsory civics education in the final years of high school, citizen-initiated referendums and plebiscites, better monitoring of elections for foreign interference, and stronger measures against electoral fraud.

One Nation believes that all citizens need to actively participate in democracy. Informing our votes – and informing ourselves about how government works and how to engage it effectively – are critical to getting better politicians and better outcomes from governments.

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Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
https://www.onenation.org.au/