The National Press Club this week attempted to show its liberal democratic credentials by giving the One Nation leader a national platform.
I was hoping it would be a win-win situation for Pauline Hanson.
If the journos got the best of her, more sympathisers would be on her side. If she won over the journos, she would have shifted the party into new territory. But nobody could predict that she would win, and win, and then win big in Canberra.
The entire One Nation team was there to support Pauline. Each one of them genuine and with street smarts that silvertail pollies can’t comprehend. The Club was buzzing upstairs before the event, with a who’s who of journalism wondering what would unfold downstairs.
Downstairs, the camera crews were moving about like busy bees, jostling for the best vantage point. I had a seat at the big media table with a question at number 11. If you are number 16 or more, time usually runs out. I was almost guaranteed a question.
Senator Hanson arrived and sat at the main table next to mine along with Barnaby Joyce and the other dignitaries. The camera crews went into their chaotic manoeuvring routines as lunch was served. It was brilliant as usual, with the chef delivering an outstanding menu with pepper and cumin-infused Junee lamb backstrap featuring as the main course. I wondered whether this was a figurative scapegoat or the sacrificial lamb.
Pauline rose to speak, the camera crews bounced around, then the recording began, the bell sounded, and off we went.
The address covered so much familiar ground. Much of it read word for word from a script. I was hoping for more. Then it happened.
A projector screen behind Tom Connell started to unfold. It had a large poster that read that Pauline Hanson had taken a pay rise while voting against pay increases for workers.
Pauline didn’t miss a beat.
Poor Tom.
I spoke with a veteran mate about it this morning. We agreed he must have had that feeling you get when you are the officer-in-command and something blindsides you and you see the pain you will go through in the coming days. The Press Club CEO was ropeable. ‘This was not us!’ The chef and another were up on the stage, and the poster was torn down in seconds.
Pauline kept on as if nothing had happened. Later that night, my request for comment from the Club was met with an official statement and an apology to Pauline.
Michael de Percy at the National Press Club with Pauline Hanson.
Q: "How do you see a One Nation government managing its relationship with the public service?"
A: "The public service has been poorly run for a long long time … I want to run a government where the ministers are… pic.twitter.com/bjvdGPk1CJ
— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) June 17, 2026
At 1pm, the traditional finish time for the address, Pauline went on and on. I started thinking she had lost an opportunity. By 1.15pm, a mate texted me and said, ‘Is she taking up all the time so we can’t ask questions?’
Then my academic friends started texting me:
‘We just spotted you! A spirited speech by PH!’
‘Very long but wasn’t going to give up – good on her!’
‘You can send your question to her and ask for an answer for your column.’
1.30pm, the usual finishing time, came and went. We pushed on. The recordings from the ABC and Sky kicked on, too.
As each question was answered, I started thinking Pauline should have just stood there and said, ‘I’m Pauline Hanson, and I’m here to answer your questions.’ With the long speech almost forgotten, the left-wing media copped a classic Hanson broadside. Pauline was on fire.
I was groaning inside. A guaranteed question. A concrete guarantee. It was walking off the concrete along with my question. The broadside finished, it was my turn.
I asked my question: How will a One Nation government manage a politicised public service?
The answer was direct and sound. No critique of the public service, but a critique of ministers who don’t do their jobs. Under One Nation, ministers will be responsible for ensuring their departments do the necessary work. Not the other way around.
The texts started again:
‘Well done and she gave a great answer!’
‘The most honest politician in decades!’
‘We’re worried she’ll get rid of SBS! No soccer!!!’
By the end of the address, the place was buzzing even more than before it began.
Get Up! claimed responsibility for the stunt. The AFP are involved and hopefully the whole story will be told in due course. I must admit that the National Press Club will cop a fair amount of undue criticism. But such a security breach needs to be investigated.
What an emotional roller coaster it was! It went something like this:
Worried Pauline had wasted an opportunity.
Watching the left’s long, slow accident unfold in front of me. Their biggest own goal ever. One Nation later joked they wish they’d thought of it!
Amazed at Pauline’s performance during the questions.
Fired up by a Hanson full broadside and observing the flotsam and jetsam of the damage floating by me.
Pleased I got to ask my question, and it was answered in a way that demonstrated that Senator Hanson really knows her stuff.
Then my old professor texts:
‘Nobody can say One Nation doesn’t have any policies. There’s at least eight or nine clear policies in that address.’
That’s when it hit me. Pauline didn’t just win, she conquered.
The long boring speech is now on the record, delivered word for word from a carefully drafted script. Nobody remembers it now because they’re too focused on Pauline’s broadside and the left’s idiotic own-goal.
But that speech is a policy platform if ever there was one. Like Menzies’ Forgotten People speech, Pauline set out all the things that have been annoying ordinary Australians for years.
Pauline also showed that she can face a frontal assault from the Press Gallery and not only survive but thrive.
She can wing it under pressure. She knows her stuff. And the left played her game and lost.
I was exhausted when I got home. Later that night our Editor-in-Chief praised my question and Senator Hanson’s answer. My phone rang and a good friend said, ‘Rowan is complimenting you on TV, turn it on now!’ and hung up.
NPC: GetUp! did One Nation a favour (again)https://t.co/cJh1JDYFbd
– Hanson gave journalists hell
– Make the ABC a subscription serviceAs for the press club; 'the emperor has no cloths'@rowandean
auspol pic.twitter.com/ip9chIg2HK
— Timjbo ?? (@TimjboAU) June 17, 2026
Others shared the Speccie’s Facebook posts as the investigation and the texts continued. ‘How cool to be there and ask the questions! Love your work.’
(My editor reminded me that I didn’t want to go. She says I wasn’t going to go until she told me I’d regret missing it. Too bloody right!)
[Editor’s Note: Damn straight.]
Even the leftist media were saying Pauline, ‘wasn’t there for the National Press Club, she was there for Fight Club.’
And that’s what it was like from my front row seat on the day Pauline Hanson conquered Canberra.
Dr Michael de Percy @FlaneurPolitiq is the Spectator Australia’s Canberra Press Gallery Correspondent. If you would like to support his writing, or read more of Michael, please visit his website.
