Pauline Hanson pulls the heavy hitters for Steve Dickson One Nation fundraiser

They say in politics you only have to follow the money – and conga line of lobbyists who wield it – to see where the power lies. And by that measure, the Duchess of Ipswich, Pauline Hanson, and her merry band of One Nation MPs appear to be sitting pretty up Queensland way.

To wit: the fundraiser held last week at Buderim Tavern (stellar chicken schnitty, exceedingly comfortable Keno lounge) to honour local state MP, recent LNP defector and new One Nation recruit Steve Dickson.

It was tin foil hats at 10 paces in the crowded function room as Dickson outlined his bold vision for splitting the conservative vote in the Sunshine State. Mistress of ceremonies Hanson watched on proudly while puller of the bloodnut puppet strings James Ashby carefully surveyed the scene from behind a bank of pokies.

Speaking of pokies – if you weren't tripping over zimmer frames on your way to the dunnies, you could barely move on the day for the number of club industry representatives who had tripped to the Sunny Coast to kiss the ring. Senior execs from both Clubs Australia and Clubs Queensland were notable attendees, loudly spruiking (among other things) the recent deal they had struck with Crown Bet (the self same one that threw previous long-time gaming partner Tabcorp under the proverbial bus).

There was animated talk, too, about the establishment of medical centres in clubs. Because the only thing that excites a lonely, pension-cheque-wielding pensioner more than a pokie is the chance to bore a GP to death with the minutiae of their latest ailment. Genius!

The beleaguered taxi industry was also ably represented at the Dickson do, as well as a handful of gambling industry figures.

Be afraid, Annastacia Palaszczuk and Tim Nicholls. Be very afraid …