Crime Commission Finds No Impropriety In Hanson Prosecution

The Queensland Crime And Misconduct Commission has found that the prosecution of Pauline Hanson was conducted properly and without evidence of political pressure.

Hanson and David Ettridge, co-founders of One Nation with David Oldfield, were convicted and jailed on fraud charges arising out of the registration of the party with the Queensland Electoral Commission in 1997.

Hanson and Ettridge were both released from jail after an appeal was upheld by the Queensland Supreme Court.

In anticipation of the release of the CMC report, Hanson and Ettridge have indicated they will seek compensation from the Queensland government.

• Download the full report (PDF)

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These are the findings of the Crime and Misconduct Commission:

The Commission is of the opinion that no misconduct or other impropriety has been shown to have been associated with the conduct of the litigation concerning Ms Hanson and Mr Ettridge, or with the police investigations leading to the prosecution.

• The Commission also found no evidence of political pressure or other improper influence or impropriety.

• The Commission found nothing to show a failure to accord due process, in accordance with the rule of law, to Ms Hanson and Mr Ettridge. In particular, the involvement of Tony Abbott in events leading up to the institution of proceedings to deregister the party did not produce or constitute a failure of due process.

• Allegations were also made that the Premier had somehow been involved in the prosecution of Ms Hanson and Mr Ettridge. The Commission found no evidence to support those allegations.