Pauline Hanson and billionaire Gina Rinehart meet up at luxury Mediterranean hotel

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 16:20, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 16:26, 16 July 2026 One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been spotted at the same luxurious Sicilian hotel as mining magnate Gina Rinehart. The pair were spotted at the Grand Hotel San Pietro in Taormina, on the east coast of the Italian island, with Hanson taking an apparent detour from her controversial trip to the United Kingdom where she caught up with far-right figure Tommy Robinson. A series of photos shared on Instagram showed Hanson making a beeline toward Mrs Rinehart, who was lounging in and around the hotel pool. Another photo appeared to show Hanson and Mrs Rinehart seated together at a poolside table, the Australian Financial Review reported. It's understood Mrs Rinehart visited Sicily to attend a four-day fashion showcase for Dolce & Gabbana. However, it's Hanson's appearance at the $2,000-per-night luxury hotel, which is close to one featured in season two of HBO's The White Lotus, that has raised eyebrows. Hanson has framed herself as representing everyday Australians and has been an outspoken critic of politicians' high-flying trips overseas, having slammed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his diplomatic jaunt to China last year. She previously told Sky News the trip was 'pathetic'.  Pauline Hanson (above) was spotted at a luxury hotel on the Italian island of Sicily  Mining magnate Gina Rinehart (above) met with Hanson at the hotel She referred to comments by host Chris Kenny who said the PM was 'on his knees' in Beijing, and Hanson said: 'I agree with you, I think he's kissing his feet as well while he's down there'. Hanson later followed the comments by highlighting the Prime Minister's overseas excursions while there were Australian 'children who are going hungry every day'.  The One Nation leader's European trip has already caused problems back home, with Seven's Spotlight highlighting her meeting with far-right UK activist Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. The pair sat to film a podcast with Hanson's decision to meet the anti-Islam activist widely condemned. One Nation's top staffer, James Ashby, on Wednesday told the Sydney Morning Herald the meeting with Robinson had been orchestrated by Seven after a sit-down with Nigel Farage fell through. 'After Nigel pulled out because of the by-election he caused, Seven went hunting for a filler,' Ashby said. 'They paid for the hotel room for Tommy to film his podcast with PH. They paid for the people movers to visit Luton. They paid for four British SAS security to accompany them and the boss. They were big on making this meeting occur.' Senior sources at Seven denied the allegations.  The nearby San Domenico Palace Four Seasons was featured in season two of HBO's White Lotus (above) Hanson appeared at the Grand Hotel San Pietro Tourmina pool (above) between two conservative forums in London It's understood Hanson's appearance in Sicily was between two conservative forums in London. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor on Thursday questioned why Hanson was 'living it up' in Europe instead of dealing with an in-party crisis. One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has faced growing scrutiny for his apparent support of Russian President Vladimir Putin and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Criticism against the senator was triggered by his refusal to rule out the Bondi terror attack as a 'false flag' operation when asked by a reporter in May.  'The question here for Pauline Hanson is: what is she going to do about it? She's over in Italy right now,' Taylor said on Thursday.