Federal election 2025: One Nation leader Pauline Hanson provides ‘crash course in campaigning’ in O’Connor

One Nation candidate Gemma Johnston believes her party leader’s whistlestop visit to the O’Connor electorate has given her a “crash course in campaigning”. Ms Johnston, a Shire of Esperance councillor, travelled with One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson on a whirlwind trip which took in Perth, Kalgoorlie and the annual Rawlinna Station muster. The pair then flew to Esperance for a campaign dinner at the Pier Hotel. Ms Johnston said she had gained inspiration from seeing Ms Hanson in action. “She’s 70 and she ran rings around me for energy,” she said. “It was inspirational to see her in action; she’s a machine and she works for the people.” Ms Johnston admitted the pace of campaigning had taken her by surprise. “I didn’t have a chance to wash my hair for five days,” she said. “I love learning, and this was a learning experience. “It was a crash course in campaigning. “I never dreamt my life would have gone this way, but now I feel I was born for this.” Ms Johnston is one of eight candidates standing in the O’Connor electorate at the Federal election on May 3. The other candidates are Lindsay Cameron (Trumpet of Patriots), Giz Watson (The Greens), Heidi Tempra (The Nationals), Philip Arnatt (Legalise Cannabis Party), Rick Wilson (Liberal), Darren Moir (The Australian Labor Party), and Deonne Kingsford (Australian Christians).