Pauline Hanson reignites questions over Fatima Payman's dual citizenship as she deflects calls for an investigation into One Nation member

By CAITLIN POWELL - NEWS REPORTER Published: 02:47, 10 June 2026 | Updated: 02:51, 10 June 2026 Pauline Hanson has taken aim at Fatima Payman, labelling it hypocritical that her dual citizenship is not being probed as calls grow for an investigation into One Nation over a potential breach of parliamentary rules by one of its members.  Western Australian senator Tyron Whitten has faced a media firestorm over his register of interests, a public listing of his financial, personal and professional holdings.  Whitten reportedly amended his submission after he was contacted by The Australian about links to his family's construction company, Whittens Group. It had signed a $75million deal with Commonwealth-owned Snowy Hydro in October 2024, raising questions about whether he was eligible to be elected. People who receive direct or indirect financial benefit from Commonwealth work cannot sit in parliament, according to Section 44 of the Constitution.  Whitten founded the group with his brother in 2001 and served as director and company secretary until the end of 2024. Ownership only changed in July last year, after he was elected.  The Daily Mail contacted Whitten for comment. In the face of criticism, Hanson has attempted to shift attention by reviving her rivalry with Payman. Pauline Hanson has attempted to deflect attention from a One Nation member's alleged breach of parliamentary rules by taking aim at Fatima Payman Hanson has attempted to shift attention by reviving her rivalry with Fatima Payman, taking aim at the Afghan-born senator's dual citizenship 'The gutless wonders in the Coalition calling for One Nation senators to be investigated are pure hypocrites,' Hanson wrote on social media on Tuesday. 'The fact is, there is no question over Senator Whitten's eligibility. Snowy Hydro is a public company, not a government department. 'The most questionable Senator in Parliament, Fatima Payman, holds Afghan citizenship. It's a case that still needs investigation and an answer. 'I tried to have her qualification to sit in Parliament under section 44 of the Constitution referred for an inquiry.' Hanson criticised Payman's dual citizenship in November 2024, claiming it made her ineligible to sit in parliament. Payman said at the time she had taken 'all reasonable steps' to renounce her legal ties to Afghanistan, now run by the militant Taliban.  She also pushed back against the One Nation leader's comments on Tuesday night in a post to social media. 'Every accusation is a confession, Pauline. Maybe focus on your own senator's eligibility before coming for mine,' Payman wrote. Pictured, Senator Tyron Whitten speaks at Senate Estimates in May WA senator Tyron Whitten has faced a media firestorm over his register of interests, a public listing of his financial, personal and professional holdings In response to comments of solidarity, Payman added that Hanson's 'obsession with me is crazy'. 'She needs to do her job and actually serve the interests of her constituents… like addressing the cost of living crisis and closing the wealth disparity caused by her billionaire friends,' she wrote to another user. When asked if Hanson was volunteering to speak with the Taliban, Payman added: 'I don't know why Pauline is hellbent on legitimising the Taliban.'  Coalition MPs, including Liberal frontbencher Jonno Duniam, have called on One Nation to investigate Whitten.  'If Pauline Hanson wants to be prime minister, this is a way to demonstrate leadership by clearing the air on these matters,' he said. It comes as polling last week revealed One Nation is the most popular party for the first time.  The Newspoll survey recorded a four-point rise in One Nation's primary vote to 31 per cent. Labor dipped one point to 30 per cent and the Coalition fell two points to 18 per cent. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.