The Australian Financial Review, November 19th 1999
By Samantha Strutt
Internal brawling in the Queensland branch of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has flared again less than a week before the crucial appeal against its deregistration.
With lawyers for the party preparing to lodge an appeal against the Supreme Court that the party was fraudulently registered, Queensland police yesterday denied they have ramped up a fraud investigation into One Nation's leader Ms Hanson and the party administrator David Ettridge.
The investigation stems from August's ruling by Supreme Court Justice Rosalyn Atkinson that One Nation's registration in Queensland had been induced by "fraud or misrepresentation". If convicted Ms Hanson and Mr Ettridge could face up to six months in jail.
The party's state leader, Mr Bill Feldman, said yesterday Ms Hanson, Mr Ettridge and fellow party director Mr David Oldfield had not been interviewed by police.
Mr Feldman also questioned why this was the case when the party's "disgruntled" former State Vice-President, Mr Paul Trewartha, claimed he had been interviewed as part of the investigation.
"I find it a little curious," he said.
A Queensland police spokesman said the investigation was in a holding pattern and no time frame had been set for its completion.
The Queensland Party's woes began less than six months after its storming political debut at last year's State election.
Last year one of its members, Mr Charles Rappolt, resigned citing ill-health caused by the pressures of political life. He has since committed suicide.
In January, five more of its MPs resigned or were forced from the party after a public revolt against the ruling trio and criticism of the party's internal structure.
Last week the party's official "webmaster" and long time supporter, Mr Scott Balson, resigned from his position after a public argument with Mr Oldfield. Mr Balson, who has repeatedly published letters which are critical of One Nation and its ruling trio in his on-line daily newspaper, has been banned from attending party meetings in New South Wales.
Mr Balson yesterday claimed the party was "under stress".
Other party members are angry that Ms Hanson, who is on an overseas holiday, will not be present when the appeal is heard.
Mr Feldman yesterday admitted the bickering was unfortunate and damaging. But he criticised Mr Oldfield, now a member of the NSW Upper House, over his comment that he had "no relationship" with the Queensland Party.
Mr Oldfield yesterday denied public bickering had damaged the party and dismissed Mr Balson's claims. He said Mr Balson was no longer a party member after failing to renew his membership in May.
He accused a "small group of trouble makers" in Queensland of being behind discontent within the party.