Pauline Hanson Officially Nails Her Senate Seat Down For 6 Whole Years

Six years is a long-ass time in Australian politics. Since 2010, we’ve had four separate Prime Ministers, five Speakers of the House, and approximately 1.6 million reality-warping gaffes spread throughout the echelons of the nation’s political establishment. 

Six years is also the amount of time Pauline Hanson has been guaranteed in the Senate, following the government’s final decision on how to settle the results of the double dissolution election. Take a moment to imagine all of the hectic shit we’ll encounter during her tenure.

Usually all senators are given six-year terms, but Senate elections are generally staggered so only half of ’em face the chop each time around. Since the double dissolution put everyone’s job on the line simultaneously, some of ’em have been handed 3-year stints instead to compensate.

In case you were wondering, the six senators in each state and territory to land full terms were determined on a first-elected basis. Other minor party candidates who are lucky enough to be in that number include Greens Scott Ludlam and Richard Di Natale, and Nick Xenophon Team’s eponymous leader.

Hanson’s One Nation compatriots Brian Burston, Malcolm Roberts, and Rodney Culleton have all slid into three-year terms. Until 2019, that political unit will hold very considerable sway on Australia’s policy positions – climate change, immigration and equal marriage rights included.

Strap yourselves the hell in, the ride to 2022 is gonna be absolutely wild.

Source: ABC. 
Photo: Pauline Hanson’s Please Explain / YouTube.