The Turnbull government has removed a veteran Nationals senator from the membership of a parliamentary committee to give one of its own spots to Pauline Hanson.



John Williams has confirmed he stepped aside from the parliament’s national broadband network committee to accommodate Hanson’s request to participate.

Hanson had tussled with the Nick Xenophon Team senator Stirling Griff for membership on the committee, but Griff secured support from Labor and the Greens, giving him the numbers in a ballot to take the spot.

After she lost the ballot, the government asked Williams to stand back from the NBN committee to accommodate the One Nation leader.

This turn of events is unusual; the major parties guard their positions on parliamentary committees.

Williams confirmed he had been asked to step off, telling Guardian Australia that Hanson had told the government she wanted to be on the NBN committee “and she wasn’t going to win the ballot”.

Before agreeing to make way, Williams said he had checked to make sure there was another National on the committee – given broadband is a significant political issue in the regions – but once he had ascertained Andrew Broad was a member he had stepped off willingly.

“As long as there’s a Nat on the committee I didn’t mind,” Williams said on Wednesday. “Look I’ve got plenty of work to do.

“I’m on about six committees now.”

The Hanson senate bloc of four is critical for the Coalition in this parliament.

This week it was able to pass its legislation intervening in the Victorian country fire association dispute with One Nation support.

Hanson in a statement welcomed the turn of events. “The government has committed to working with One Nation and all crossbench groups, so I am pleased to see that they are living up to their commitment.”

She said the Nationals were happy to “do what was necessary” to allow her to join the committee.

In a characterisation that may not entirely please the Nationals, Hanson said “regional Australians feel under represented.”

“I have committed to ensuring the level of their telecommunications and internet services continue to improve. The Nationals were happy do what was necessary for me to join them on the committee and see improvements.”