Pauline Hanson's plane was bought by Bill McNee, former One Nation members say
Updated
The ABC has obtained more information shedding light on property developer Bill McNee's involvement in the organisation of a light plane for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.
Key points:
- Former One Nation members from WA say they are prepared to sign an affidavit the effect Bill McNee told them he bought a plane for One Nation
- Emails show Mr McNee met with Ms Hanson at her home
- Mr McNee said he did not go to Ms Hanson's home and had said no to One Nation about paying for the plane
Former president and secretary of the Western Australian branch of One Nation, Ron Mclean and Marye Louise Daniels, have told Four Corners that Mr McNee told them he bought the plane for One Nation.
"He said 'I bought the plane' and James Ashby was the pilot," Ms Daniels said.
"Ron and I heard it. It wasn't a flippant thing. We'd been speaking to him for about 15 minutes.
"We are prepared to sign an affidavit to that effect."
The revelations follow the Four Corners program broadcast on Monday night, which prompted Senator Hanson's One Nation party to be referred to the Australian Electoral Commission for investigation.
Conversation occurred at private function
Both Ms Daniels and Mr McLean were present for Senator Hanson's maiden speech in September 2016.
During Senator Hanson's speech she acknowledged that Mr McNee and his partner Renata were "dear friends".
"A couple of strangers came along at the right time, helped me spread my wings and gave me the support and assistance I needed that now sees me standing on this floor today," Senator Hanson said.
"These people are no longer strangers but dear friends, welcome at home any time for another lamb roast. Thank you, Bill and Renata."
Senator Hanson was referring to wealthy property developer Mr McNee, the director of Vicland Corporation, and his partner Renata, who were also present at her speech.
At a private function the evening of Senator Hanson's speech, Ms Daniels said she introduced herself to Mr McNee and Renata.
"I asked him, what did she [Senator Hanson] mean by the 'spreading my wings' comment? Was the wings part in her speech about the plane?" Ms Daniels said.
"I asked him, 'did you buy her the plane?' He said, 'Yes I did'.
"He said he bought her the plane and also gave around $70,000 to carry the office on.
"He told me he flew up there and stayed with [Senator Hanson], and after a few bottles of wine and a wonderful roast lamb, in the morning he decided to donate the plane, to pay for the plane."
Emails show Bill McNee met with Hanson at her home
When contacted by Four Corners last week, Mr McNee said he had no involvement in the organisation of the plane and that he "never, never" had communications with any One Nation staffers about the plane.
He later told Four Corners that he did have some communications about the plane, and that One Nation had asked him to pay for it and that he later said no.
Mr McNee also said he had never visited Senator Hanson's home and that stories of having a lamb roast at her house were "nonsense, nonsense." He also said he "didn't know any woman by the name of 'Renata'."
But Four Corners has obtained information revealing Mr McNee not only dined at Senator Hanson's home, but also stayed overnight along with his partner Renata.
In one email sent two weeks before the April 11, 2015 "fundraising ideas" meeting, Mr McNee is provided with Senator Hanson's home address and that "accommodation for Saturday night only".
Mr McNee responded: "Thank you and my partner Renata? Is that ok?"
Four Corners has obtained another email exchange between Mr McNee, a One Nation party official, Pauline Hanson, and her chief of staff James Ashby dated April 12, 2015, the day after the April 11 meeting.
In it, a One Nation party official thanks Bill "and Renata ... for taking the time to come to QLD. We are extremely grateful for your support".
The party official also mentions a "plan of attack" and provides Pauline Hanson's One Nation bank account details for Mr McNee.
In the email, the party official also assures Mr McNee that "no funds will be spent without Pauline's authorisation".
Mr McNee responded saying he was "feeling incredibly excited about the future and what we can achieve as a group! … I feel so comfortable about my decision to get involved and support your party".
Mr McNee also noted that his colleague would "make contact today regarding the funds we agreed to provide and he can also be of assistance with some other important issues".
It is not clear what those "other important issues" are.
Text messages reveal Bill McNee's continued interest in plane
Four Corners has also obtained a series of text messages showing Mr McNee's continued interest in the plane once it had been acquired by One Nation, with photos of the plane being shared between the party and the property developer.
On July 15, 2015, the day before One Nation was due to publicly launch the plane at Queensland's Caloundra airport, Mr McNee wrote to One Nation:
"Hey guys tomorrow is the big day ? Did u [sic] get a chance to sign write it?"
A party official responded:
"Yes. James [Ashby] is putting the final touches on it early tomorrow. We're going to announce it tonight. Exciting. Pauline is thrilled. Will send pics."
Mr McNee replied: "Haha awesome news!! Good luck for you guys!"
Photos of the plane, emblazoned with the One Nation logo and a cartoon of Senator Hanson, were text messaged to Mr McNee, updating him on the party's activities with the Jabiru aircraft.
Mr McNee has denied having any financial involvement with the plane. In response to a list of questions sent on Wednesday, the property developer said he had no comment.
The plane has been described as Senator Hanson's plane on the official One Nation website and has been used to fly her to locations for party campaigning. Senator Hanson also told Sky News in January that the plane belongs to the party.
"I've still got my plane. Well the party's plane," Senator Hanson told Sky News.
But Senator Hanson's assertions sit at odds with a statement released on Tuesday by Mr Ashby. In the statement Mr Ashby said "My company bought the plane. It's the second plane I've owned. I'm very capable of buying my own planes".
Mr Ashby says he has "done nothing wrong".
Both Mr Ashby and Senator Hanson declined to respond to a list of questions sent by Four Corners last week. Further questions were sent to them on Wednesday afternoon.
Watch the Four Corners episode on ABC iView.
Topics: one-nation, pauline-hanson, government-and-politics, federal-government, elections, australia
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