Billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart has acquired an $8 million office building in inner-city Brisbane to serve as the new headquarters for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party as it seeks to expand its operations in Queensland.
The three-storey property, located at 160 Wharf Street in Spring Hill, was purchased last month by Hannine Investments, a subsidiary of Mrs Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting. One Nation plans to relocate from its current Brisbane Airport premises to the new site once renovations are completed. The party will occupy approximately 650 square meters across level one and part of level two, while the remainder of the second floor remains leased by a consultancy firm.
Hancock Prospecting has confirmed that the party will pay commercial market rent for the space, dismissing claims that One Nation would receive free or discounted occupancy. The building features spacious office areas, 10 parking spaces, and a rooftop balcony with views of the Brisbane skyline. Previously, the property was owned by not-for-profit API Leisure and Lifestyle, which purchased it in 2003 for $2.4 million.
A One Nation spokesperson stated that the move is necessary due to "expansion in state and federal staffing requirements," with the current Brisbane Airport location deemed insufficient for the party’s needs.
The acquisition comes amid mounting political activity ahead of the November 28 Victorian state election, where One Nation is campaigning aggressively. Senator Hanson recently joined Victorian candidate Warren Pickering at a campaign event in Geelong and asserted that the Labor Party was “finished” in Victoria, predicting that Liberals might need One Nation’s support to form government.
One Nation’s rising popularity is attracting close scrutiny from federal government figures, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ministers Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan, as they seek to curb the party’s growing influence ahead of the next federal election due by 2028. Recent polling has shown the party’s primary vote climbing to 36 percent in Queensland, with many voters expressing a preference for Senator Hanson as prime minister.
Mrs Rinehart, Australia’s wealthiest individual, is One Nation’s most significant benefactor. Earlier this year, she donated a $1.5 million Cirrus G7 private plane to Senator Hanson and funded her trip to Europe, which included attending a Dolce and Gabbana fashion show in Italy. Records show Hancock Prospecting has also covered multiple flight expenses for Senator Hanson, including a November trip to Florida to attend a high-profile event hosted by former US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Senator Hanson has publicly acknowledged her close relationship with Mrs Rinehart, describing her as a friend and valuable policy advisor. A Hancock Prospecting spokesperson reiterated that the company treats the Spring Hill building as a commercial asset and provides no preferential treatment to political tenants.
As One Nation shifts its headquarters to the Brisbane CBD, the party is targeting several Liberal National Party-held seats in Queensland ahead of upcoming elections, focusing on electorates such as Wright, Capricornia, and Wide Bay. Meanwhile, Labor sources in Queensland acknowledge the threat posed by One Nation, citing voter dissatisfaction with the major parties as a contributing factor to the minor party’s growing support.