Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart funded One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s return flights from London to Sicily and her ticket to a high-end fashion show, newly updated parliamentary records confirm. The disclosures follow scrutiny over the pair’s Sicilian getaway amid a surging political profile for the Queensland senator.
Parliamentary Disclosure Confirms European Travel Funding
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has officially updated her parliamentary register of interests to confirm that mining magnate Gina Rinehart paid for her connecting flights during a controversial European trip earlier this month.
The updated register reveals that Australia’s richest person covered return flights from London to Sicily, via Rome, taken between July 11 and July 16. In addition to the transport, the mining billionaire provided an invitation for Senator Hanson to attend an exclusive Dolce & Gabbana fashion parade in the Sicilian town of Taormina.
Senator Hanson stated that she personally covered the cost of her accommodation, meals, and daily expenses throughout the trip. The disclosures came to light after media reports published photographs of the pair relaxing seaside at the Grand Hotel San Pietro in Taormina, Sicily.
“Yes, I went to Sicily. Yes, I went to the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show. What an experience. I was invited to go and thought, ‘well, I’ve never been to anything like that’. And I thought, ‘yes, I’m going to go and see it’. Is it my scene? No, no way in the wide world.”
Pauline Hanson, One Nation Leader
Defending the Trip Amid Rising Political Prominence
The overseas getaway took place in the middle of a fact-finding mission to the United Kingdom, where Senator Hanson addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in London and participated in a podcast interview with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Responding to public criticism in Australia over the optics of the luxury holiday, Senator Hanson insisted that public funds were not involved. taxpayers did not pay “one cent”
, she maintained in a social media video addressing the controversy.
The updated parliamentary register aligns with Senate rules requiring disclosures within 35 days of receiving a gift. It marks the latest entry in a growing list of contributions from Mrs Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting. Previous disclosures include interstate flights, hospitality, and a large orange bulldozer gifted on stage at a regional summit.
Deepening Ties Between the Billionaire and the Senator
The financial backing underscores a strengthening relationship between Mrs Rinehart and Senator Hanson, whose popularity in published opinion polls has climbed significantly in recent months. In April, the Queensland senator accepted a new Cirrus G7 plane valued at $1 million from the mining magnate, describing the aircraft as sexy
and fast
.
One Nation Prepares State Candidates Amid Surging Polls
The disclosure timing coincides with One Nation’s efforts to capitalize on a wave of voter support. Appearing on a television special hosted by Paul Murray on News24, Senator Hanson announced that the party would begin unveiling its Victorian election candidates within days, starting with upper house contenders.
The party has secured candidates for approximately 74 of Victoria’s 88 electorates and aims for statewide representation. The latest Resolve Political Monitor placed One Nation on 22 per cent support in the state, sitting behind Labor and the Coalition, which were tied on 27 per cent.
To guard against candidate controversies, Senator Hanson noted that the party implemented a rigorous vetting system using advanced artificial intelligence technology.
“So if you’ve got something that you’ve done somewhere else in the world, it’ll find you. It’ll tell us if you’ve got a criminal offence internationally. It’ll tell us if you’ve been a bankrupt, if you’re owing money to the taxation office.”
Pauline Hanson, One Nation Leader
Unresolved Questions Over International Transport Costs
While the updated register accounts for the Italian segments of the journey, questions remain regarding the funding of the long-haul flights from Australia to London. Senator Hanson’s updated disclosures make no reference to how the initial flights to the UK were financed.
Documents associated with Seven’s Spotlight program indicated preliminary discussions regarding UK travel costs tied to a proposed meeting with UK Reform leader Nigel Farage, though that meeting ultimately did not take place. A network spokesperson clarified that production funds only covered incidentals related to interactions with Tommy Robinson, including a production vehicle, a hotel room for filming, and security personnel. It remains unclarified whether personal funds or external benefactors covered the primary flights from Australia.
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