Pauline Hanson Travels to US on Gina Rinehart's Private Jet to Attend CPAC
In October, Pauline Hanson and her chief of staff James Ashby flew to the United States on Gina Rinehart's Gulfstream 700 private jet. The flight, which took place on 27 October, followed a path from Brisbane to Perth, then Osaka, and finally arrived in Palm Beach on 29 October.
While in Florida, Hanson and Ashby attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). At the event, Hanson criticised Australia's major political parties and praised Trump-era policies. CPAC tickets reportedly ranged in price from $5,000 to $25,000.
The funding and sponsorship of the trip remain unclear, potentially being a gift from Hancock Prospecting or Rinehart personally. Hanson's parliamentary register, last updated in August, contains no public declaration of sponsored travel related to the trip.
During their visit, Hanson and Rinehart also attended a Great Gatsby-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago hosted by Donald Trump. It is not clear whether Ashby attended this event.
Adam Giles, a senior executive at Hancock Prospecting and a former leader of the Country Liberals who has donated to One Nation, publicly endorsed One Nation during the visit.
Rinehart is known as a longtime Trump supporter engaged in US politics and investments. This visit is presented as part of a broader pro-Trump alignment involving One Nation.
