The Guardian's Full Story podcast has released episode three of The Populist, called Money nation. It looks at money inside Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. Senior reporter Sarah Martin followed the party's public funding and donations.
Former members say the party left candidates out of pocket. They also describe 'funny money deals' and donations that got 'lost in the system'. Even people inside the party now ask who is accountable.
The episode also asks whether the man hired to fix the system, general manager Kelvin Morton, is making things worse.
π The Backstory
One Nation is a populist party led by Pauline Hanson. It has grown fast since the last federal election. Parties in Australia get public money based on how many votes they win.
That money comes with rules about how it is reported and spent. Guardian reporting in recent weeks has questioned some of the party's spending and the fees charged to candidates.
One Nation is also pushing hard for seats in the Victorian state election in November.
π― Why It Matters
Public money pays for politics, so voters deserve to know how parties spend it. This story shows how a fast-growing party can face big questions about honesty.
The Guardian's Full Story podcast has released episode three of The Populist, called Money nation. It looks at money inside Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. Senior reporter Sarah Martin followed the party's public funding and donations.
Former members say the party left candidates out of pocket. They also describe 'funny money deals' and donations that got 'lost in the system'. Even people inside the party now ask who is accountable.
The episode also asks whether the man hired to fix the system, general manager Kelvin Morton, is making things worse.
One Nation is a populist party led by Pauline Hanson. It has grown fast since the last federal election. Parties in Australia get public money based on how many votes they win.
That money comes with rules about how it is reported and spent. Guardian reporting in recent weeks has questioned some of the party's spending and the fees charged to candidates.
One Nation is also pushing hard for seats in the Victorian state election in November.
Public money pays for politics, so voters deserve to know how parties spend it. This story shows how a fast-growing party can face big questions about honesty.