One Nation Denies Allegations of Improper Campaign Finance Handling in Victoria

One Nation has forcefully rejected reports that its Victorian state president, Warren Pickering, instructed a candidate to use a personal bank account for campaign finances, labeling them as “false allegations.” The controversial rightwing party, which has experienced a significant surge in recent polling, stated no personal bank account was used but stopped short of directly addressing whether such advice was actually given.

The allegations emerged as party leader Pauline Hanson appeared alongside Nepean candidate Darren Hercus at a press conference on Saturday ahead of the May 2 byelection in the Mornington Peninsula seat. The byelection was called following Sam Groth’s resignation amid a defamation dispute and internal conflict within the Victorian Liberal party.

According to reporting by Nine newspapers, two former One Nation members raised concerns about instructions to use a personal bank account for campaign donations, citing this issue as their reason for leaving the party. Such advice would have contradicted Victorian electoral laws at the time, which mandated that all donations be deposited into accounts registered with the electoral commission.

The timing is particularly significant as the High Court on Wednesday struck down Victoria’s electoral donation laws, removing key accountability measures ahead of November’s state election. The Victorian government has pledged to introduce replacement legislation that would apply retrospectively.

When questioned about the allegations during Saturday’s press conference, Hercus declined to comment, saying only that the matter was “in the hands of the lawyers” while noting he was using his personal credit card to fund the campaign. Hanson intervened, describing the claims as “false allegations” and stating there was “no separate bank account,” only “an account that was set up purely for the campaign.”

“These allegations are coming from disgruntled former members of the party,” Hanson said. “They’ve had no involvement in it at all.” She threatened legal action against those making the allegations and assured that the electoral commission would audit the accounts.

When pressed specifically about whether Pickering had provided the alleged advice, Pickering himself interjected from the sidelines, stating that the state executive would have given “rational, logical advice.” Hercus claimed he had “no visibility” of financial matters, while Hanson added that candidates “really are not across” the finances because of their complexity.

The press conference, held at Rosebud hospital, took a chaotic turn when a member of the public confronted Hanson, telling her to “go back to where you came from.” When challenged, the man clarified he meant Queensland. A brief physical altercation ensued with Pickering, who attempted to block the man from the press conference.

One Nation’s financial practices have come under increasing scrutiny in recent months. The party banks millions in public funding, with former Nationals deputy leader and current One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce confirming that mining magnate Gina Rinehart is a “substantial supporter” of the party. Hanson has reportedly used Rinehart’s private plane multiple times.

In contrast, Hanson claimed during the press conference that the party’s donations come primarily from “ordinary mums and dads” rather than corporations or unions.

A recent investigation by Guardian Australia revealed that former One Nation candidates reported they had not received their expected share of more than $6 million the party received in public funding after the 2025 federal election. One Nation did not respond to questions for that story but has previously stated that the party’s “national and state finances were regularly audited by chartered accountants, and the NSW and Australian electoral commissions.”

The financial controversy adds to mounting pressure on the party at a time when its popularity has been rising significantly in the polls, potentially impacting its electoral prospects in the upcoming Nepean byelection.