Qld: One Nation to run campaign from Gold Coast

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2001
Qld: One Nation to run campaign from Gold Coast

GOLD COAST, Aug 4 AAP - Pauline Hanson's One Nation party is to set up its national
campaign headquarters on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Ms Hanson said her party's federal election campaign would be run from Surfers Paradise
because of the floating population and strong support base in the area.

Ms Hanson told the Gold Coast Weekend Bulletin she hoped to have an office up and running
in the area within two weeks.

"I've chosen the Gold Coast because of the number of people who visit from all over
Australia," she said.

"If we are based here people can come to the office to meet me and pick up information
on what the party is about."

However, tourist operators fear the move will cause ripples in the struggling Asian
market and could put the tourism strip at a disadvantage.

"The reality in the international marketplace is that she is seen as having an anti-immigration
and anti-Asian bias," tourism bureau chief Bob Brett said.

"This still exists as an issue and we are still questioned on it."

Ms Hanson said she would spend at least six days a week on the coast during the campaign.

AAP nr/cdh

KEYWORD: HANSON

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