Senator says Western Australia branch a ‘breakaway group’ amid allegations she accessed its membership database ahead of March state election

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Pauline Hanson has described One Nation Western Australia as a “couple of ratbags”, amid claims her Queensland-based party accessed the membership database of One Nation WA ahead of the state election in March.

The secretary of One Nation WA, Brian McRea, who has been involved with the party since its inception 20 years ago, said Hanson had been “illegally” given access to the WA membership database.

One Nation WA was deregistered as a party, under pressure from Queensland party officials, but still exists as an incorporated body and has its own executive, meetings, budget and website.

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McRea said a former member of One Nation WA had provided the list without the permission of the WA organisation’s executive.

Pauline Hanson One Nation has told the WA electoral commission it has signed up the 500 members necessary to register as a party. But it is unclear how many of the names came from the One Nation WA database.

The Australian Greens have said it warrants an investigation by the WA electoral commission.

Hanson said One Nation WA had been a thorn in her side for years.

“They have not had any association with us or the party for years,” she told the West Australian. “They’re a couple of ratbags. They are a breakaway, rogue group.”

All Pauline Hanson One Nation members had been signed up via the party’s national website, which offered $10 memberships for a limited time, Hanson said.