RETIRED journalist, now political commentator Peter Kennedy has had a front row seat to the rise of One Nation. 

Mr Kennedy, who scored his first gig as an anchor with the ABC just a week before Pauline Hanson first one a seat in Parliament, will speak at the University of Notre Dame on September 23 at 6pm in the Michael Keating Room at Cliff Street about his perspective on the party’s journey from the 90s to now. 

• Peter Kennedy

Mr Kennedy says One Nation is a “news phenomenon in Australian politics” and its growing influence warrants “close examination”.

With more than five decades in journalism, Mr Kennedy has been state political reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and ABC News and press secretary to former WA deputy premier Mal Bryce among other notable roles. 

He has reported on Ms Hansen since the beginning of her career, first interviewing her and liberal member Wilson Tuckey in 2001 for ABC News. 

Mr Kennedy says Ms Hansen remains central to the party; in one sense it is “personality driven”. 

The party’s recent win in the Secret Harbour by-election and Farrer in NSW had “taken their political influence to another level”, he said.

“They want a seat in the House of Representatives, the federal parliament,

“It’s big test will be Victoria in November.

To dive deep into the One Nation story get your tickets for the event hosted by Notre Dame Journalism Club.

by CARLA LANE