Source : Perth Now news
One Nation leader and prime ministerial aspirant Pauline Hanson has again failed to name Indonesia’s president days after she was caught on camera unable to name him the first time.
In a snippet of an upcoming News24 interview shown this week, Senator Hanson was asked to name the leaders of Indonesia and Japan, President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Both countries are key defence and trade partners, with Japan a major fuel supplier and buyer of Australian gas.
Senator Hanson could not name the leaders despite heavily criticising Anthony Albanese for allegedly referring to Ms Takaichi’s breasts in his controversial appearance on the Bush Deep podcast last month.
The Prime Minister has rejected the claim.
Asked again on Sunday, Senator Hanson could “remember Takaichi” but still drew blank on Mr Prabowo.
“I do remember Takaichi, but you know what? I still haven’t looked up who the prime minister of Indonesia is because I don’t need to know,” she said.
Indonesia does not have a prime minister.
Senator Hanson continued: “The people in Australia, most of them couldn’t even tell you who the prime minister of Indonesia is.”
From defence and security to trade and tourism, Indonesia is one of Australia’s most consequential neighbours.
Deepening ties with the archipelago is key to foiling subversive designs in the region committed by the likes of China and Russia, such as Moscow’s attempt to park nuclear capable bombers less than 1400km from Darwin.
Senator Hanson reasoned that there was no point learning who Mr Prabowo was because Indonesia could “have a change of prime minister between now and after the next (Australian) election”.
She said that went for “any other country that we may be doing business with”.
“I don’t have to deal with them,” Senator Hanson said.
Also speaking to News24, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins was asked if she could name the leaders and whether Senator Hanson should be able to.
“President Prabowo of Indonesia and Prime Minister Takaichi obviously have close relationships with Australia,” Ms Collins said, adding that “as Agriculture Minister, I certainly appreciate those relationships”.
“And we have a close relationship with Indonesia and Japan in terms of our agricultural trade, which I’m very proud of.”
Pressed on whether Senator Hanson should know the names of foreign leaders, Ms Collins said it was “matter for (Senator Hanson) to … answer” and that she was “focused” on her job.
“I’ll leave it to her to make her own comments about international relations,” Ms Collins said.
