World

Controversial politician Hanson makes election bid

03:04 am on 9 March 2011

Australia's controversial right-wing politician Pauline Hanson has launched a bid for a parliamentary seat in the New South Wales state election.

The former leader of the anti-immgration One Nation party is standing for the locality of Corlette on the state's north coast, and is running in the 26 March poll as part of a group of 16 independents.

New South Wales Premier, Kristina Keneally, says the Labor party will not direct preferences to Ms Hanson under any circumstances.

Ms Keneally says her party condemns Ms Hanson's divisive approach.

"We completely condemn the sort of racist policies that she promotes," she said.

"It's remarkable that in 2011 the Premier, a leader of this state, has to stand up and defend the values of multiculturalism, of diversity, but indeed with someone like Ms Hanson entering the political race, I make clear that that's precisely what I'll do."

Last year, Ms Hanson said she was selling her home and moving to the United Kingdom, but she later reversed her decision.

She made her name as the independent member for Oxley in Queensland between 1996 and 1998, during which time she set up One Nation.

Ms Hanson launched a failed bid for a seat in the 2009 Queensland elections, where she gained 21% of the vote in the seat of Beaudesert.