One Nation declares $30,000 for use of James Ashby's plane

Pauline Hanson has amended an old One Nation financial disclosure document from 2015-16 to show her own advisor James Ashby donated more than $30,000 in free flights.

One Nation leader, Senator Pauline Hanson sets up camp in Birdsville next to the light plane which she travelled in on Thursday, August 31, 2017

One Nation leader, Senator Pauline Hanson sets up camp in Birdsville next to the light plane which she travelled in on Thursday, August 31, 2017 Source: AAP

One Nation has disclosed a political donation from Pauline Hanson's advisor James Ashby in 2015-16, revealing he donated 243 hours of flying time in his Jabiru light aircraft at a theoretical rate of $125 per hour. 

The party's financial disclosure document was updated on Tuesday to include the $30,375 worth of flights. 

However, the Australian Electoral Commission told AAP its investigation was not over.

"The AEC is still actively investigating disclosure matters related to the plane," the commission said in a statement.

"In line with standard practice, the AEC makes no comment regarding matters currently under investigation."

Mr Ashby is still under investigation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority over whether he was flying under the correct licence when he flew Pauline Hanson around the country during the 2016 election campaign.
The Australian Electoral Commission is also investigating whether the use of the plane was properly disclosed.

The plane had Senator Hanson's name and face emblazoned on it, but she has previously been adamant it had "nothing to do with the party".

Last year Senator Hanson confirmed Victorian businessman Bill McNee had "got the plane for (her chief of staff) James Ashby" and it did not go through the party office as a donation.
One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson and her advisor James Ashby
File: One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson and her advisor James Ashby. Source: AAP
Senator Hanson this month slammed the Australian Electoral Commission for the length of its investigation into the ownership of the plane.

"For an organisation as big as the AEC, who have not come to a decision for more than a year, it's pathetic."

Last year she also accused the party's previous staff of incompetence, because they could not keep up to date with financial disclosure laws.

- with AAP


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By James Elton-Pym



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