FEDERAL Member for Bowman Henry Pike has rejected any suggestion he could defect to One Nation, after ABC Four Corners reported he was allegedly asked by Gina Rinehart whether he would consider joining the party.
Mr Pike, whose electorate takes in much of Redlands Coast, was reportedly invited to lunch at Mrs Rinehart’s Sunshine Coast holiday home in January.
According to Four Corners, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, her then chief-of-staff James Ashby, and Federal MP Barnaby Joyce were also staying at the property.
Coalition sources told the ABC that Mrs Rinehart asked Mr Pike whether he was thinking about joining One Nation or would ever consider doing so.
The program reported Mr Pike saw the conversation as an active attempt to recruit him to the party.
Mr Pike declined an interview with Four Corners but issued a statement declaring his loyalty to the Liberal Party.
“I have enormous respect for Mrs Rinehart and all she has achieved,” he said.
“But I am, and always will be, a Liberal.
“I believe in the Liberal Party, in our leadership, in our values that shaped modern Australia, and in our ability to do it all again.
“Australia’s future is too important for political opportunism.”
Mrs Rinehart did not respond to Four Corners’ questions about whether she had attempted to recruit Mr Pike or other Coalition MPs.
Mr Pike has previously held fundraisers hosted by Mrs Rinehart, Australia’s richest person and a high-profile supporter of Senator Hanson and One Nation.
The report has emerged amid renewed scrutiny of One Nation’s financial backing.
Four Corners reported the Coalition has asked the Government if it has concerns about two $500,000 donations to One Nation made by Adam Giles and Professor Ian Plimer, both associated with Mrs Rinehart.
