James Ashby Named Party Director as Chris Taylor Takes Over Hanson’s Office

Melbourne, 3 August: Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has undertaken a significant leadership reshuffle as the party strengthens its organisational structure ahead of upcoming state and federal elections.

James Ashby, who has served as Senator Hanson’s chief of staff and senior political adviser for more than a decade, will move into a newly expanded role as One Nation’s national party director. Former Scott Morrison adviser Chris Taylor has been recruited to replace him as Hanson’s chief of staff.

According to a report by The Australian, Ashby will oversee the party’s national operations, election campaigns, advertising, digital infrastructure and organisational development. Taylor will manage Hanson’s parliamentary office and help finalise One Nation’s policy platform ahead of the next federal election, which is due by May 2028.

Former Morrison adviser joins Hanson’s team

Taylor served as general counsel and a senior adviser to former prime minister Scott Morrison during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has approximately 25 years of legal experience in Australia and the United States and has worked across government policy, industrial relations, legislative and regulatory matters.

Most recently, Taylor worked as chief of policy at the Australian Banking Association under chief executive Anna Bligh and former federal finance minister Simon Birmingham. He has also held senior private-sector roles and worked on election campaigns.

His recruitment is being viewed as an attempt by One Nation to strengthen its political credibility and professionalise its parliamentary and policy operations.

Taylor said he had spent his career working through difficult issues involving government, politics and business.

“I refuse to believe our country’s best days are behind it. Australians need someone who will stand up for them and help them get ahead. That is exactly what Pauline Hanson and her team are doing, and I’m looking forward to being part of it,” he said.

Ashby to focus on national campaigning

Ashby has served as Hanson’s chief of staff and senior adviser since 2015 and has played a central role in building One Nation’s election campaigns, public messaging and organisational network.

His appointment as party director will allow him to devote more time to recruiting candidates, strengthening campaign teams and communicating the party’s message directly to voters across Australia.

Hanson said she wanted Ashby working full-time with One Nation’s campaign operation, strengthening the organisation and taking its message directly to Australians.

Ashby said the new position would allow him to travel around the country, listen to voters and identify strong local candidates ahead of future elections.

“Pauline has now given me one job: get out on the road and make sure Australians who have been ignored by the major parties are heard,” he said.

“The major parties have enormous political machines behind them. We have Australians who are ready to stand up and fight for a better country.”

Political insiders reportedly believe Ashby could also seek election to federal parliament in the future. His new role is expected to give him greater exposure to voters and party members across the country.

Ashby is also updating his pilot’s licence and may fly a five-seat aircraft donated to One Nation by billionaire Gina Rinehart while travelling with Hanson for campaign and organisational work.

Preparing for state and federal elections

The leadership changes come as One Nation prepares for several electoral contests, including the Secret Harbour by-election in Western Australia, the Victorian state election in November and the New South Wales election in March.

Senior party figures reportedly believe Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could call an early federal election, potentially between August next year and early 2028. The next federal election must be held by May 2028.

One Nation has recently recruited donors, political staffers and campaign professionals who were previously associated with the Coalition. Further senior appointments are expected in the coming months.

Hanson said the party’s growing electoral support demonstrated that Australians were looking for an alternative to the major political parties.

She argued that Labor and the Coalition had stopped listening to ordinary Australians and said One Nation would focus on the concerns of families, businesses and regional communities.

“I am travelling the country asking Australians what is holding back their families, their businesses and their communities,” Hanson said.

“We intend to take what they tell us into our policy agenda for the next federal election.”

Hanson to promote foreign fighters legislation

When federal parliament resumes, Hanson is expected to campaign for One Nation’s proposed Protecting Australians from Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill.

The party intends to raise concerns about Australian citizens associated with terrorist organisations and the possible return of Islamic State fighters and their families.

Hanson is expected to use the issue to place further pressure on the Albanese government and appeal to voters concerned about national security, immigration and the return of Australians from overseas conflict zones.