POLITICAL BUSHWACK

POLITICAL BUSHWACK  (TELEGRAPH NEWS)

(Saturday Telegraph 2^nd April 2011) By: Gemma Jones (POLITICAL REPORTER)

Pauline Hanson is the undisputed queen of the bush, drawing thousands of votes in rural seats, analysis of last week’s election results shows.

The former One Nation leader was still ahead of Labour and the Greens for the final spot in the Upper House as counting continued yesterday from the State Election of March 26, 2011.

Expects, however, still believe she will be defeated when preferences are tallied, but her support in rural areas has made her a surprise contender.

Near her new home at Corlette on the Mid-North Coast, she received more than 2400 votes in the electorate of Port Stephens – her highest number of votes anywhere in the state.

In the adjoining electorate of Myall Lakes, Ms Hanson received 2210 votes and she polled well in the nearby Hunter. Her third-best result was in the seat of Maitland, with 1715 votes, followed by Cessnock with 1679.

She also polled well in Tamworth, Lake Macquarie, Clarence, Dubbo, Wallsend and Coffs harbour, with between 1300 and 1650 votes.

Despite her popularity in regional areas, Upper House Labour spokesman Luke Foley said it would cause ‘chaos’ if Ms Hanson won a spot.

Mr Foley said it would be a headache for the Government, which could need Ms Hanson’s support for passing legislation in the Upper House.

It would be a nightmare for Barry (O’Farrell) if he needed to talk to her, Mr Foley said.

In Sydney, Ms Hanson’s worst results were in Vaucluse, where she received fewer than 200 votes, and on the North Shore, with similar numbers.

Her Sydney support was strongest in Blacktown, with 1028 votes. She also polled well in the Sutherland shire and Sydney’s south, with between 700 and 1000 votes in Cronulla, Heathcote, Menai, Miranda and Rockdale.

Professor Rod Tiffen from Sydney University said Ms Hanson’s support was a tiny fraction of the almost 20 per cent she polled in a Queensland election in the late 1990s.

Pauline Hanson and One Nation have always done a lot better in the country than in the city... she does best in areas which have the least contact with migrants, he said.

Ms Hanson did not return calls from The Daily Telegraph yesterday.