Key Takeaways
- Warren Pickering, One Nation’s Victorian leader, says mass deportations are not a realistic policy.
- Pickering also admitted the party used 'ghost candidates' to boost Senate votes in previous elections.
- These revelations raise questions about Pauline Hanson's signature policy on deporting 75,000 people.
Warren Pickering, leader of One Nation Victoria for the upcoming November state election, has stated that mass deportations are not a realistic policy in Australia. In an exclusive interview with 2025 podcast, Pickering emphasized that such a policy is 'not a reality' and 'won’t happen'.
This statement comes as part of a series of revelations about the party's tactics during previous elections. Pickering also admitted to using so-called 'ghost candidates', individuals who did not actively campaign but were listed on ballots, in order to increase their Senate vote count.
The admission of employing such strategies has raised concerns among political observers and the public regarding the transparency and integrity of One Nation’s electoral practices.
Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation at the federal level, has previously championed a policy aimed at deporting 75,000 people she claims have overstayed their visas. However, Pickering's comments suggest that this may not be a viable or realistic goal for the party’s current strategy.
Political analysts argue that these revelations could impact voter perceptions of One Nation and its policies, particularly in light of recent debates over immigration and national identity in Australia.
Pickering’s leadership role in Victoria is crucial as the state election approaches. His stance on mass deportations may influence how voters perceive the party's approach to immigration issues.
The admission of using 'ghost candidates' also highlights potential discrepancies between One Nation’s public image and its actual electoral tactics, raising questions about the party’s commitment to transparency.
