Pauline Hanson defends ‘very tough’ candidate process, as Mark Ellis resigns after controversy

Pauline Hanson concedes her party sometimes doesn’t get it right as candidate Mark Ellis resigns

Pauline Hanson has defended One Nation’s vetting process for candidates, in the wake of another political hopeful from the party resigning.

Mark Ellis joins Andy Semple, Shan Ju Lin and Peter Rogers on a list of former Queensland candidates who were involved in controversy before their departures.

On Wednesday, Guardian Australia published details of alleged threats Mr Ellis made to a former employee on social media.

Mr Ellis was also thrust into the spotlight last week, when it was revealed he was among a group of police officers charged — and later cleared — of kidnapping Aboriginal boys in 1994.

Senator Hanson, who was unveiling a new set of candidates in Cairns on Wednesday, said her party had a “very tough selection process”.

“Sometimes you don’t get it right,” she said.

“I’m not [in] the selection process but I am on the executive as state president of the party in Queensland.

“It does come down to my final decision. My final decision now is that he’s no longer a candidate under the banner of One Nation. He has offered his resignation.”

Source: Pauline Hanson defends ‘very tough’ candidate selection process, as Mark Ellis resigns after controversy – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)