Pauline Hanson has taken a major step towards a political resurrection - and a possible share of the balance of power in an Abbott government - through preference deals that could mean Bob Katter and Clive Palmer would help propel her back into Parliament.

The One Nation founder's Senate bid is being engineered by Glenn Druery.

On the comeback trail: Pauline Hanson in Sydney this week. Credit:Edwina Pickles

Mr Druery is a political deal-maker who specialises in getting right-leaning minor parties into Parliament through carefully orchestrated preference swaps.

Mr Druery was responsible for the so-called ''tablecloth'' ballot paper in the 1999 NSW election. He registered 24 micro parties, came close to winning a seat in the upper house, and succeeded in getting his friend Malcolm Jones of the Outdoor Recreation (Stop the Greens) Party elected.