Bizarre moment Pauline Hanson forgets her own BIRTHDAY during a debate about the government’s superannuation bill
- One Nation leader turned 67 in late May – and then bizarrely declared otherwise
- Confusion over Pauline Hanson’s actual birth date baffled many in parliament
- Ms Hanson, 67, was accused by Labor of trying to score a personal pay rise
- Government has proposed new superannuation legislation for those aged 67
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was at the centre of a bizarre moment in parliament, appearing to forget her own birthday.
The bizarre incident unfolded in Canberra on Thursday during a debate about the government’s proposed superannuation legislation.
When defending herself against allegations she wanted a ‘nice little pay rise’ from the super changes, Ms Hanson furiously said her birthday was on Wednesday – when it was in fact back in May.
It followed the Senate approving three superannuation bills, which will primarily look to stop underperforming funds from potentially recruiting new members.
They will also attempt to keep workers aligned with a single super fund to avoid multiple accounts and subsequent fees.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson appeared to forget her own birthday in parliament on Thursday
Senator Hanson declared her birthday was this week – when in fact it was in late May
The trio of bill changes were passed with the support of One Nation – despite the controversial party failing to secure support for an amendment.
The lack of amendment support resulted in the debate about Ms Hanson’s birthday.
Labor were openly critical of One Nation for looking to raise the concessional cap for extra super contributions for those aged 67.
Senator Murray Watt enraged Hanson after suggesting she was looking to give herself a ‘nice little pay rise’ through the superannuation legislation.
As a high income earner aged 67, Ms Hanson would be entitled to $30,000 as she reaches the age requirement.
‘This is one of the biggest attempted rorts and swindles of the public purse that Australia has ever seen,’ a fuming Watt told the Senate.
‘Yesterday was Pauline’s payday – coming to Canberra to give herself a nice, sweet, fat pay rise that the battlers in Queensland are going to be paying more tax to fund.’
His comments came after the One Nation leader said she was ‘proud to say I am 67 years of age, and I turned 67 yesterday (on Wednesday).’
It was later clarified Hanson’s birthday was May 27.
Ms Hanson was the forced to defend herself against claims she was trying to score an easy pay day to coincide with her age.
She was adamant the concessional cap amendment would benefit all Australian residents on the verge of retirement.
Ultimately, the amendment stood after the superannuation minister Jane Hume said the Coalition would not support it.
The main bill – Your Future, Your Super – passed the lower house earlier this month.
