Pauline Hanson has burst into tears on national television amid a spectacular falling-out with One Nation Senator Brian Burston.
Key points:
- Senator Burston denied claims he tried to join the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party
- He has been a member of One Nation for two decades
- If he goes, he would be the third One Nation Senator to quit in this Parliamentary term
Senator Burston "stabbed me in the back", the party leader claimed during a live interview, as the relationship between the pair plummets to new lows.
"The people of this country don't even know who the hell Brian Burston is," Senator Hanson told Sky News.
The explosive interview came on the same day Senator Burston told The Australian newspaper he would break ranks with the party over company tax cuts.
Senator Hanson described that decision as a "dummy spit" because he had not been guaranteed top spot on the New South Wales Senate ticket at the next election.
"No one will win a seat on the floor of Parliament in my name," she said.
"I fought for years to get back here to be there … to help the people of this country.
"It is not a [Senate] seat to just sit back and do absolutely nothing."
Senator Hanson recently dumped her New South Wales senator from his position of party whip, saying he was demoted because he "wasn't doing the job".
Senator Hanson also said Senator Burston had attempted to join the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party — a claim he has denied.
"The claim that I've approached the Shooters Party is totally and absolutely false," Senator Burston told Sky News.
One Nation last week changed its position over corporate tax, announcing it would not support the Government's plan to extend tax cuts to all companies in Australia.
Senator Burston said he was sacked as party whip "one minute" after declaring he'd vote with the Government.
"It was a little bit of a payback I think, it was a little bit of punishment for not supporting her position."
"My position is that I support the Government on these tax cuts because I had a handshake deal with [the Finance Minister] Mathias Cormann.
"I do not break my word. My word is my bond."
'She has her moods'
Senator Burston said he had a phone call with the party leader earlier Thursday night.
"She was very, very angry and raised her voice. I ended up hanging up on her because I could not make any sense of what she was saying," he said.
"I've known Pauline for so long, she has her moods if you like, I'm sure she'll come back dozen to earth.
"I'm very disappointed with Pauline's outburst. I know she was quite emotional and upset."
The two-decade party veteran insisted he was still a member of One Nation, despite the very public falling out with his leader.
"I am … unless Pauline decides otherwise, of course."
If he goes, Senator Burston will reduce Pauline Hanson's influence in the Senate, taking her One Nation voting bloc down to two votes.
He would also be the third One Nation senator to quit the party in this term of Parliament, following Rod Culleton and Fraser Anning.
A teary Senator Hanson apologised to voters "that this has happened again" and claimed those members did not have "the intestinal fortitude".
"It's all about themselves, self-serving," she said.
"Well I don't want people like that."
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