Pauline Hanson's changing stance on company tax cuts over 72 hours

Updated

Struggling to keep up with where Pauline Hanson stands on the Federal Government's corporate tax cuts? You're not alone.

The Coalition's cuts for businesses with an annual turnover of up to $50 million have already passed, but reductions for companies bigger than that are stuck in Senate limbo.

To get the legislation through, the Government needs the support of the two One Nation senators and two others.

But deciphering Senator Hanson's stance on the legislation is proving to be a challenge.

After striking a deal with the Coalition in March to support the changes, Senator Hanson withdrew that support last month, triggering the resignation of One Nation-turned-independent-turned-United Australia Party senator Brian Burston.

Since then, Senator Hanson has courted, flirted with and danced around the prospect of supporting the cuts, initially denying — then conceding — she's "flip-flopped" on the issue.

It prompted Labor senator Doug Cameron to declare her "the most unstable senator I have ever seen in my decade in Parliament", adding: "No-one knows what she will do."

To try to get to the bottom of exactly that, here's a brief timeline of Senator Hanson's varied stances on the company tax changes — within the last two days.

Monday, 7:30am

Pauline Hanson says her party will not support company tax cuts unless the Coalition takes action on multinational tax avoidance, among other things.

"I understand they need another four votes, they haven't got One Nation, and I give the people my guarantee that, unless they really target multinationals, it's so important to me, we need to have a revenue stream come into the country."

Tuesday, 5:15pm

After leaving the door open on the prospect of supporting the cuts, Pauline Hanson slams it shut in the Senate.

"One Nation will not be supporting company tax cuts. So I haven't flip-flopped, I said no originally, then I said yes, then I have said no and I've stuck to it."

Wednesday, 7:25am

Less than a day later, Pauline Hanson appears to soften her stance on Channel Nine's Today Show, indicating she is open to negotiations.

When asked where she stands, Senator Hanson replies: "I've made my point really clear about this."

Senator Hanson says she wants multinationals to pay more tax, and told Finance Minister Mathias Cormann as much during a meeting on Tuesday night.

"It doesn't mean to say I'm going to back their corporate tax cuts, what I'm saying to him is start doing something about the multinationals in Australia not paying their taxes," she says.

And if Pauline Hanson wants to flip-flop, she will.

"In the chamber today again [Labor's] used flip-flopping, that's my prerogative! And I will change my mind as many times as I want to, to ensure I come up with the right decision."

Wednesday, 7:30am

Pauline Hanson tells reporters in a Parliament House corridor "Minister Cormann has not got me over the line" on the company tax cuts.

She is then asked if she can understand why people are saying she has flip-flopped.

"I'm not going to apologise to anyone for that," she says.

"That's not a bad thing to do. If you get better information, you want things for the country — why not? It's about what's right for the country."

Wednesday, 9:10am

Less than two hours later, Pauline Hanson does change her mind — again.

She tells Melbourne radio station 3AW One Nation has settled its position.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Pauline Hanson speaks to commercial radio station 3AW about company tax cuts (ABC News)

"We have come to a firm decision, we are not supporting the corporate tax cuts. It's not changing. I've sent a message to Minister Cormann this morning, so anyway, he knows."

And so do we. For now at least.

What next?

Senator Hanson says she will let the Government take the policy to the next election and allow the public to decide.

Until then, she's offered a suggestion to help the Coalition get the cuts through the Senate.

"I suggest Cormann go and knock on the door of Labor or the Greens and see if they can get them over the line."

Topics: government-and-politics, federal-elections, elections, federal-government, federal-parliament, minor-parties, one-nation, pauline-hanson, political-parties, tax, company-news, business-economics-and-finance, australia

First posted