Channel Nine paid for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to fly to Uluru documents show

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REVEALED: How Channel Nine bankrolled Pauline Hanson’s trip to Uluru – paying for her flights and accommodation so she could climb the rock before it closed

  • Documents revealed Channel Nine paid for Pauline Hanson to visit Uluru in 2019
  • Ms Hanson made the trip to the Northern Territory ahead of October closure
  • She was filmed walking 40 metres up the rock before she turned back 

By Aidan Wondracz For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Channel Nine bankrolled One Nation leader Pauline Hanson‘s trip to Uluru so they could film her climbing the iconic rock before it closed, documents have revealed.  

Ms Hanson visited the iconic Australian landmark in the Northern Territory in August last year before the monolith was closed to the public for good in October.

The One Nation leader had been a vocal critic of the closure and was filmed exclusively by a TV crew walking 40 metres up the rock before she decided to turn back. 

The segment was titled ‘Rebel Rock’ and aired on A Current Affair, with host Ms Grimshaw addressing concerns about the story to viewers.   

‘Now to clarify some questions raised about this story,’ the host said. 

‘We did not pay Senator Hanson and the visit was not our idea … She asked if we wanted to cover the story and we did.

Explosive documents have revealed Channel Nine paid for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s trip to Uluru (pictured, Ms Hanson at Uluru in August) before the iconic rock closed

At the time of the segment, A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw addressed the issue

At the time of the segment, A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw addressed the issue

Ms Hanson updated her senator's register that month and declared she received 'Flights x 2 and 2 nights accommodation x 2 provided by Nine Entertainment Co Pty Ltd for visit to Uluru from 19-22 August'

Ms Hanson updated her senator’s register that month and declared she received ‘Flights x 2 and 2 nights accommodation x 2 provided by Nine Entertainment Co Pty Ltd for visit to Uluru from 19-22 August’

‘Logistically it transpired there were some travel costs met by us – not all of those costs, and that’s not uncommon with stories like this.’

The extent of those travel costs was laid bare by documents filed with Parliament’s pecuniary interests register that month. 

Ms Hanson updated her senator’s register that month and declared she received ‘Flights x 2 and 2 nights accommodation x 2 provided by Nine Entertainment Co Pty Ltd for visit to Uluru from 19-22 August’. 

The update was first reported by independent journalist Anthony Klan. 

At the time of the segment, Channel Nine released a statement to say it had followed proper protocol. 

‘The ACA team followed due diligence to ensure all permits were granted and the climb was approved, and engaged local elders who agreed to meet with Ms Hanson.

‘As viewers will have seen on [the] show, Ms Hanson gained new insights and appreciation for Uluru through the filming of the story.’   

Channel Nine declined to comment further on the topic when contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Saturday. 

Ms Hanson (pictured) had been a vocal critic of the closure and was filmed exclusively by Channel Nine network crew walking 40 metres up the rock before she decided to turn back

Ms Hanson (pictured) had been a vocal critic of the closure and was filmed exclusively by Channel Nine network crew walking 40 metres up the rock before she decided to turn back 

WHY DID ABORIGINAL ELDERS ASK FOR A BAN ON CLIMBING ULURU? 

It was announced in November 2017 that climbing Uluru, considered a sacred site by the local Anangu people, would be banned from October 26, 2019.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park’s board of management, made up of a majority of Aboriginal traditional owners, unanimously decided to close the climb.

Traditional owner and board chairman Sammy Wilson said on behalf of the Anangu people it was time to do so.

‘We’ve talked about it for so long and now we’re able to close the climb,’ Mr Wilson said. ‘It’s about protection through combining two systems, the government and Anangu.

‘This decision is for both Anangu and non-Anangu together to feel proud about; to realise, of course it’s the right thing to close it.

‘The land has law and culture. We welcome tourists here. Closing the climb is not something to feel upset about but a cause for celebration. Let’s come together, let’s close it together.

‘If I travel to another country and there is a sacred site, an area of restricted access, I don’t enter or climb it, I respect it. It is the same here for Anangu. We welcome tourists here. We are not stopping tourism, just this activity.’

On 26 October 1985 Uluru and Kata Tjuta – formerly known as the Olgas – were handed back to the Anangu people.