Hanson jailed for three years
August 20, 2003
FORMER One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and party co-founder David Ettridge have been jailed for three years each after being found guilty of fraud charges by a Brisbane District Court jury.
Judge Patsy Wolfe made no recommendation for parole.
Hanson, 49, and Ettridge, 58, had pleaded not guilty to fraudulently registering One Nation in Queensland on December 4, 1997.
Hanson had also pleaded not guilty to dishonestly obtaining almost $500,000 in electoral reimbursements after the 1998 state election.
But a Brisbane District Court jury found the pair guilty on all counts after more than nine hours of deliberations.
Former One Nation leader Hanson was clearly shocked by the verdict, angrily declaring: "Rubbish, I'm not guilty ... it's a joke."
After sentencing, Hanson was in tears as she hugged Ettridge and her two sons.
During sentencing submissions, Hanson said: "Yes, I'm still very innocent of the charges and I believe the prosecution has not proven the case against me or David Ettridge."
Ettridge, who represented himself at the trial, said: "I still maintain my innocence."
The jury was sent out at 3.54pm (AEST) yesterday after the 23-day trial which heard from 30 witnesses over allegations the pair lied to get the party registered.
It returned the guilty verdict at 2.32pm today.
Hanson and Ettridge were accused of pretending a list of more than 500 members used in the application to Queensland's Electoral Commission were people belonging to the party.
The Crown argued throughout the trial the list was of people belonging to Hanson's support movement.
AAP
