Activist group GetUp! are laughably hopeless at their stated purpose … combatting One Nation.

Previously, the group boasted about putting a war chest of donations to work at the Farrer by-election only for One Nation’s David Farley to claim victory. What should have been an unassuming by-election turned into Ground Zero of a populist revolution.

Oh well.

GetUp! recommitted themselves.

Aside from some childish social media garbage, not a lot happened. Until today.

Pauline Hanson’s historic National Press Club address started a little shakily. Then down came the protest banner, claimed by GetUp!.

The Senator side-eyed it, lofted an eyebrow, and continued with a renewed sense of focus. By the time Pauline Hanson got to the Q&A session (which went on for twice as long as normal), she was in full command of Australia’s political battleground.

There is no denying GetUp!’s stunt worked to Pauline Hanson’s advantage.

Even left-wing accounts on social media are reading them the Riot Act, complaining that their antics are pushing more people toward the populist revolt.

And while Pauline Hanson should consider sending GetUp! a gift hamper with some Please Explain! merchandise, the National Press Club were not happy.

That much was evident immediately.

At the time, the poster was ripped down and apologies were made to Senator Hanson.

Maurice Reilly, Chief Executive of the National Press Club, released a statement saying they were investigating the incident and had referred the events to the AFP.

CLUB STATEMENT

The National Press Club can confirm that the incident to disrupt Senator Hanson’s Address was undertaken by third parties.

No club personnel or club contractors had any involvement in this matter.

We have referred the relevant footage and other evidence to the AFP for further investigation.

The organisation “GetUp !” is claiming credit for the stunt. The “GetUp !” representative at the address was David Sharaz.

At time of writing, we understand he is yet to be interviewed by the AFP.

It appears that two persons entered the club building yesterday afternoon without permission and installed a separate drop-down screen in front of our media wall/ light box. It is evident that a further person present during the Address activated a remote device to trigger the unfurling of the coiled banner.

David Sharaz was seen filming the incident on his phone and, after the banner had lowered, left abruptly.

We understand that this is likely to form part of the AFP investigation

When the investigation has concluded, the Club will consider its legal options against the perpetrators including recovering costs for the significant damage to the media wall/ light box.

The Club sincerely apologises to Senator Hanson for the incident.

End

GetUp! posted a short statement (below) while their CEO, Paul Ferris, said:

‘Pauline Hanson has built her entire brand on being for the battlers. But her record tells a different story. One Nation has consistently opposed wage rises, affordable child care, increases to the aged pension, and housing affordability measures. We thought the occasion deserved some honesty. So we provided it.’

It is rather amusing to visit the GetUp! website and see how they have re-designed themselves around One Nation, politically grifting off their popularity.

We have to say, it’s great press. The stunt has elevated an already significant press event to a scandal that will run in the nation’s mastheads for twice as long.

Congratulations GetUp! – keep up the good work.