Hard-right Australian party accused of seeking donations from NRA

SYDNEY: Australia’s hardright One Nation party has been accused of seeking donations from US gun lobby group the National Rifle Association (NRA) ahead of the upcoming general election, according to an Al Jazeera investigation.

Secret recordings aired by the Qatar-based broadcaster showed members of Pauline Hanson’s party seeking US$10-20 million in donations from the NRA apparently in return for trying to loosen Australia’s tight gun laws.

An Al Jazeera investigator posed as a gun lobbyist to facilitate the meeting between Hanson’s chief of staff, James Ashby, the party leader in Queensland and the NRA in Washington – meetings which were video-taped.

In the footage, Ashby was shown saying that he wanted political support, powerful NRA software – to aid voter targeting – and help with donations.

“If the NRA want to rally their supporters within Australia, that’s one start,” Ashby said in one meeting ahead of the sit-down with the NRA.

“Two, I’d love to get my hands on their software. And three, if they can help us with donations, super.”

Ashby is heard saying that a US$10 million donation would allow One Nation to win eight seats in the Senate, parliament’s upper house, giving the party sufficient power to influence legislation.

However, following the Christchurch massacre any move to roll back Australia’s strict gun control legislation would likely encounter widespread opposition.

One Nation has two seats in the outgoing Senate, one of them held by party founder Hanson. — AFP