Hanson dodges media after ‘don’t give up’ speech to huge crowd of supporters at Henty

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has implored farmers to tell their kids to “hang in there”, promising change is on the horizon during Tuesday’s official opening of the 2026 Henty Machinery Field Days.

The crowd gave Senator Hanson a rousing reception as she ascended the steps at The Stump to address a packed crowd, but journalists were later left in the lurch after a scheduled media appearance failed to materialise.

The 72-year-old politician said Australia needed productive farms, growing businesses and towns where young people could get a trade, find a job, buy a home and raise a family.

“But what I’m hearing now is farmers saying to their kids, there’s no future in farming,” Senator Hanson said.

“I don’t want you telling your kids that anymore. I want you to tell them to hang in there because change is coming and I know it’s coming.

“I want you to stay here on the farms. I want you to produce the food for this nation. Do not give up. I have not given up.”

It was a message warmly received by a crowd Senator Hanson clearly enjoyed addressing.

“This time last week I was Parliament House. You know I’d rather be right here,” she told them.

“You are the beating heart of this nation, so it’s great to see so many people.”

The controversial politician’s arrival in a distinctive orange hat drew an immediate flurry of fans – young and old – around her.

Her appearance also came on the back of a fresh controversy over a Channel Nine interview with Ku Klux Klan leader Thomas Robb, who praised Senator Hanson’s immigration views – a link she has angrily rejected.

Flanked by security at Henty, her minders and with federal MP Barnaby Joyce and newly elected Farrer MP David Farley in tow, Senator Hanson appeared more than happy to pose for photographs, sign hats and chat.

But while Senator Hanson lined up to meet a seemingly endless procession of supporters, journalists hoping to question the One Nation leader were afforded no such opportunity.

A scheduled 11:30 am media stand-up did not proceed, leaving television crews and reporters waiting outside a private luncheon.

Senator Hanson subsequently left through a rear exit before making her way across the field days site for the NSW Farmers’ Pollies in the Paddock forum.

There, it was back to selfies with a loyal legion of fans.

With a record 896 exhibitors, this year’s event marks 50 years at its permanent location on Cookardinia Road, Henty.

But trademark highlights, including the announcement of the coveted Machine of the Year award, were somewhat overshadowed by the political personalities present.

At times, the reception had more of the flavour of a visiting celebrity than a politician. However, Joyce and Farley were notably more amenable to questions from reporters on the ground.

Senator Hanson’s reluctance to face the media came on a day she was also embroiled in national controversy after Nine aired an interview with US Ku Klux Klan leader Thomas Robb, who expressed support for aspects of her immigration stance.

The Senator has emphatically rejected any association between One Nation and the white supremacist organisation, describing such a link as “absurd and offensive”.

Immigration nevertheless featured prominently in her Henty address.

Senator Hanson used the agricultural labour needs of farmers to defend One Nation’s recently announced immigration policy, rejecting suggestions it would prevent farms from accessing overseas workers.

“Now there’s been a lot of lies spread around that we want to stop the workers coming in. That is not part of my plan,” she said.

“We are going to, our immigration policy will support and does support PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) workers, seasonal workers, those skilled workers and backpackers. We are not putting any limit on that.

“What we are doing is stopping those family members of students and those people coming to this country don’t need to be here.”

Agricultural labour was, she said, one area where government policy had to recognise the realities outside the nation’s capital.

“Agriculture depends on reliable seasonal labour,” she said. “Harvest does not wait for Canberra.”

Water also featured heavily.

“Here in the Riverina, water means production, it means jobs, it means businesses and families staying on their farms,” Senator Hanson said.

“Healthy rivers matter, so do healthy communities and productive farms.”

She singled out Mr Farley’s advocacy on the issue, saying she was “so proud” to have him representing Farrer and that he had been “pushing the issue constantly” since entering parliament.

For his part, the newly elected Farrer MP used his address to paint a broader picture of the economic challenges confronting the country.

Mr Farley told the crowd Australia was carrying $1.1 trillion in debt and argued increased production and capacity were essential to tackling it.

“We have to earn our way out of it,” he said.

His assertion that people coming to Australia needed to contribute drew one of the louder responses of the morning.

“We don’t have room for passengers,” Mr Farley said, to further rounds of applause.

The pair’s appearances came after debate surrounding HMFD’s decision to invite Senator Hanson to open the event.

On Tuesday, however, there was little sign of hostility around The Stump.

And after all the talk of politics, immigration, water and cost pressures came something altogether more practical.

“I’m looking forward to getting around, seeing the venues, having a look at the machinery,” she said.

And apparently she wasn’t merely window shopping: “I am looking for a tractor. I have got my own property …”

After almost three decades of “water under the bridge”, Senator Hanson returned to Henty with plenty to say from the stage and no shortage of faithful wanting her attention.

Whether she found the tractor she was looking for remained to be seen.

The waiting media, however, were rather unceremoniously left empty-handed.

Original Article published by Jodie O’Sullivan on Region Riverina.