The Populist: The favourite son | Episode 2

The Populist: The favourite son | Episode 2

To understand how One Nation operates, it’s important to understand the story of James Ashby, from his beginnings as a PR flack, through a massive parliamentary scandal, to his ascent to political power as the party’s popularity soars

Most Australians know the story of Pauline Hanson: the fish and chip shop, the maiden speech, the ‘please explain’. But Hanson’s top adviser James Ashby wields as much – if not more – power over One Nation as Hanson herself. When the party bars media from press conferences, it’s Ashby who makes the call. To understand how One Nation operates, it’s important to understand Ashby’s story, from his beginnings as a PR flack, through a massive parliamentary scandal, to his ascent to political power as the party’s popularity soars