Pauline Hanson tells all

Former One Nation leader Pauline Hanson granted this exclusive interview with The Bug to discuss the time she spent in jail and her plans for the future.

The Bug: Mrs Hanson, thanks for being with us.
Pauline: I've never been with you.
The Bug: No, I mean thanks for taking the time out to talk to us today.
Pauline: I've done my time.
The Bug: Yes, we know that. I'm just saying we appreciate you taking the … being available … oh gosh, that doesn't sound too good either …. of spending an hour talking to us….
Pauline: I can't talk to you for an hour!
The Bug: Why the heck not?
Pauline: I've already agreed to do sixty minutes only with Channel 9.
The Bug: Right. Look, anyway, on behalf of our readers, many of whom are big fans of yours and your zero percent across-the-board tax rate proposal, congratulations of being cleared of all charges and your recent release from jail.
Pauline: Thank you. Zero was only a starting point, by the way. It could be much lower.
The Bug: So, you've been reported as saying jail has changed you. I can see what it's done to you physically - you look good as a blonde, by the way - but how about mentally?
Pauline: You don't mind the blonde look? The buggers wouldn't let me have my haircare range inside. I haven't been a blonde all over since my teenage years.
The Bug: We'll take your word on that but, no, blonde suits you. Very much.
Pauline: Thank you.
The Bug: Our pleasure.
Pauline: I've never pleasured you.
The Bug: Oh, God here we go again. You reportedly struck up some unusual friendships inside. Does the fact that you befriended a number of Aboriginal inmates suggest a softening of your stance on certain race-based issues?
Pauline: They were coons? Those cunning black bastards! They swore black and blue they were Torres Strait Islanders, not that you could see the blue of course.
The Bug: You befriended them because, like you, they all claimed to be innocent?
Pauline: They were nowhere near as innocent as me, but yes, some of them were very vocal in protesting their innocence. Were they really darkies? Some of them were quite nice, you know? Must have been full-bloods.
The Bug: You even struck up a friendship with Valmai Beck?
Pauline: Oh, God, you're not going to tell me she's a coon too? I won't have anyone left there to visit.
The Bug: Of course she's not.
Pauline: Well that's all white then.
The Bug: Some people would say it's pretty poor political judgment to befriend the killer of a young girl in a brutal murder that shocked a nation?
Pauline: See, that's where prison has made me a better person. There are two sides to every story and I appreciate that more. Valmai told me what happened. She's really quite sweet. It was her awful husband who drove her to it.
The Bug: In a battered old Kingswood, if memory serves.
Pauline: Please explain?
The Bug: Later. What sustained you in jail all those weeks? Was it the support you received from unexpected quarters - from people like Bronwyn Bishop?
Pauline: Yes his support was very comforting. I saw him on TV and was touched by the comments he made.
The Bug: And Alan Jones?
Pauline: Yes, she too was very supportive.
The Bug: You're reported as saying you'll never, ever again stand for politics?
Pauline: I'd have to be stark raving mad to ever put myself through that again.
The Bug: So, will it be the Senate or the House of Reps?
Pauline: I haven't made up my mind yet.