One Nation candidate vetting procedures in Australia scrutinized after Pickering’s admissions
In Australia, the selection and vetting procedures for One Nation candidates have come under scrutiny after admissions by its Victorian leader Warren Pickering about drug use in his youth, marital infidelity and three instances of losing his driver’s licence for drink-driving. Pickering acknowledged using amphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana, but denied claims by former partner Jo Scott that he had used methamphetamine.
As ABC News Australia reports, the party supported Pickering after his public statements. He said he had made mistakes and would “carry that regret forever”.
Selection without an in-person meeting
Robert Stuckey, a former One Nation candidate in the 2025 federal election, told the 7.30 program that his selection as a candidate for the Greenway electorate in western Sydney consisted of an online interview with the party’s national secretary, Damien Huxham, and a final telephone conversation with leader Pauline Hanson.
According to Stuckey, there were no in-person meetings before candidates were approved. He also completed a substantial package of documents, including for a police check, although he submitted some materials after his preliminary nomination. Stuckey believed that applicants for leadership positions should be interviewed in person, as it is more difficult to assess a person and verify the information they provide without this.
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The party’s and founder’s position
One Nation co-founder David Oldfield, who is no longer associated with the party, said he did not know its current vetting procedures. According to him, during his time with the party, candidates had to obtain police certificates and undergo other possible checks, but it was impossible to completely rule out new information emerging about a candidate’s past.
Oldfield noted that Pickering’s actions took place around 20 years ago and that the politician had acknowledged them. He added that if he remained in the party and knew about this past, he would still have supported appointing the former Australian Defence Force combat engineer as One Nation’s Victorian leader.
A One Nation spokesperson said that all candidates, including Pickering, had undergone party vetting. According to the spokesperson, a police check identified old drink-driving offences, while financial, criminal and character references were positive. The party introduced a new vetting procedure in 2026 to assess candidates and branch coordinators across the country.
