When I first started working on “Fight for the Right” with Chris Kenny, I remembered an interview I did with Pauline Hanson and her then 17-year-old daughter Lee way back in 2001.

I wanted to find it.

It was part of a Foxtel documentary I made called ‘Mum & Me’, profiles of well-known Australian women and their daughters.

Back then there was no ‘cloud’, no digital storage, everything was on tape.

Big, bulky and prone to deteriorate.

I had all but given up on finding a copy of the program until three weeks ago.

Searching for a recipe book in the garage and bingo.

Nothing for dinner, but something for the doco. A box full of Foxtel tapes.

“Found it!”

Twenty-five years later and the day spent on the family farm with Pauline and Lee offers a fascinating insight into the woman who wants to be Prime Minister and her daughter who may one day lead One Nation.

The resurfaced interview from 2001 with Pauline Hanson and her daughter Lee was unearthed as part of News24’s new documentary ‘Fight for the Right’, premiering tomorrow night. Subscribe to stream the documentary here at News24.com.au. 

The focus of our time together wasn’t about politics, it was about their personal lives.

Pauline Hanson – 2001:

“I believe I’m a good mum. I’ve tried my best with the children.

“I’ve tried to always be there for them. And of course, I haven’t on a lot of occasions. I suppose like a lot of parents, when you try to juggle work with being a mother, it’s awfully hard.”

Lee Hanson – 2001:

“If she hadn’t gotten in politics, it makes me wonder what else she would’ve gotten herself into. Honestly, I could not see her as a housewife or as anything like that.

“Sitting at home cooking meals for the kids and I couldn’t see that.”

One of the most revealing moments from the single mother happened when I asked her about her personal life.

Pauline Hanson – 2001:

“On the odd occasion I do get lonely. Anyway, that’s the job. But my politics, my life basically revolves around politics 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? I’d probably be one of the most well-known people in Australia wherever I go and everyone knows me. And yet in a lot of ways it can be lonely because you don’t have someone there that you can talk things over with, and share the moments with, and share the ups and share the downs with.”

Fast forward to today and during his interview with the One Nation leader, Chris Kenny played that to her.

This was her reaction.

Pauline Hanson – 2026:

“There’s different times in your life that you do feel alone. You can have a lot of people, a lot of friends that you know. But to have that special person in my life, no, I haven’t got anyone special in my life. But like I said, the same there. My whole life revolves around politics.”

Now as it was then, politics is the main game in Pauline Hanson’s life.

But before I left her farm in 2001, I too wondered if there was someone special in her life.

Pauline Hanson – 2001:

“I think all men are wonderful. I think men are gorgeous. I like a strong person. I like someone who’s got some get up and go, and I suppose a person who’s trustworthy and honest. And I think most importantly, someone who thinks the world of me and who would absolutely love me to death.”

That’s what Pauline Hanson wants in a partner. 

As for her politics.

Swipe right. Swipe left. It’s your choice. That’s what democracy is all about.

This unearthed video was resurfaced as part of the new documentary ‘Fight for the Right’, premiering Tuesday 25 August on News24. Watch it on Foxtel, News24 Regional, or stream online at News24.com.au.

Read related topics:Rise of One NationPauline Hanson