Hanson's field days invite sparks controversy with farmers

One of Australia's largest agricultural field days is facing criticism after inviting "polarising" One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to officially open the event later this month.The Henty Machinery Field Days (HMFD) held in southern New South Wales is a major showcase for agriculture industries, and also serves as a significant fundraising opportunity for community groups that operate stalls.Senator Hanson will not be paid by HMFD organisers for her appearance.Rows of tents and stands on the site of Henty Machinery Field Days. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Greg Ryan)Boree Creek farmer Graham Strong has been a long-term supporter of the event, but will reconsider attending this year after penning his concerns to organisers about Senator Hanson's invitation, labelling her as "divisive"."She's vociferous, she's polemic, divisive, all those sorts of things," he told ABC Riverina."She loves a sympathetic crowd and she obviously sees one in Farrer because it's a One Nation lower house seat and she's got a plane."So yeah I was just absolutely incredulous when I found out … and the fact that so few people seem to be standing up, going this is a problem when I know there are a lot of people out there who are just absolutely incredulous and just going what the heck is going on here."One Nation candidate Favid Farley (left) and party leader Pauline Hanson (right) celebrate victory in the Farrer by-election. (AAP: Bianca de Marchi)He also raised concerns about Senator Hanson's vocal stance on climate science and renewables while opening an agricultural event.Senator Hanson's appearance will come just two years after the event was officially opened by meteorologist Jane Bunn, who was one of the first weather presenters to work with Monash University's Climate Change Communication Research Hub.Pauline Hanson inside her donated plane. (Twitter: Pauline Hanson)"This year you've gone full 360 and you have someone who threatens to throw Australia out of the Paris Agreement, tear up renewable energy contracts, completely undermine investment in Australia's energy transition," Mr Strong said.Boree Creek farmer Graham Strong is considering boycotting the field days due to Senator Hanson's planned appearance. (Supplied: Graham Strong )The concerns about Senator Hanson's invitation have been echoed by Albury's 2025 Citizen of the Year and Farrer by-election Greens candidate Richard Hendrie."Elevating such a divisive political figure to officially open the field days is an overtly political choice by the HMFD, and risks undermining the HMFD's longstanding reputation as an inclusive, respected and community-focused institution," he wrote in an open letter.Richard Hendrie raised concerns about Pauline Hanson's invitation. (ABC News: Erin Somerville)He said the invitation was also troubling due to Farrer's heavy dependence on multicultural communities, particularly in the agricultural sector."Inviting Senator Hanson to officially open the field days risks alienating members of our community, politicising an institution that belongs to all of us, and causing lasting damage to the HMFD's reputation and standing," Mr Hendrie said.Invite follows political change in FarrerOrganisers of the HMFD said the decision to invite Senator Hanson has attracted some controversy.The Henty Machinery Field Days hosts 850 exhibitors. (Supplied: Henty Machinery Field Days)"We are aware that Senator Hanson is a polarising political figure and some people disagree with the decision," a statement from HMFD chief executive officer Belinda Anderson read."We have received a small amount of correspondence expressing these views."We have also received positive feedback from people who welcome her attendance and, in some cases, have indicated that it has encouraged them to attend the Field Days.Belinda Anderson has defended the invite. ((submitted))"A range of political parties and government representatives are also represented at Henty Machinery Field Days each year as exhibitors and participants, reflecting the broad and inclusive nature of the event."In the past decade, Albury MP Justin Clancy, former Farrer MP Sussan Ley and Riverina MP Michael McCormack, who represent electorates local to Henty, have appeared at the HMFD official opening.Ms Anderson's statement said the invitation reflected the recent shift in political mood in Farrer, and that the event had a long history of inviting political figures.Former leader of the opposition, Sussan Ley, previously opened HMFD. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)"There is no requirement that an opening guest share or represent the views of HMFD, its board, members, exhibitors or patrons, and an invitation should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any position held by that individual," she said."Senator Pauline Hanson was invited following the significant change in political representation in the federal seat of Farrer this year."With David Farley becoming the newly elected Member for Farrer and the first fully elected One Nation representative in the House of Representatives, the board considered an invitation to the federal leader of his party appropriate."Mr Farley will also be attending and participating in the official opening.The ABC contacted One Nation but it declined to comment.