MIKE WELSH, drivetime announcer at 2CC in 2012, dreamt up a stunt to boost his ratings that may have changed the destiny of Australian politics, for which he apologises.  

She’d already Danced with the Stars and reluctantly gyrated to Jailhouse Rock, but when she tangoed with talkback radio, the Queensland political “firebrand”, Pauline Hanson, fell flat.

Desperate for a stunt to lift my radio program’s audience during the first radio survey of 2012, I approached the “Ginger Dregs” of politics, as one of my colleagues unkindly christened Pauline, to co-host the 2CC Drive Show for two days.

News of Hanson’s “guest” appearance, widely misreported as a full-time gig, went viral when “viral” was still in short pants. Youth news site Pedestrian TV, reported: “Media whore Pauline Hanson is undertaking a new career path”. Others splashed with “Pauline Talks Back” and “Hanson Takes Over The Airwaves”. 

The late Kevin Blyton (founder of the Capital Radio Network, which operates 2CC) excitedly rang to congratulate me. Apparently, coverage of Pauline’s on-air stint was calculated at more than $400,000 worth of publicity. 

I don’t know who landed on that figure but it’s possible the same person who pulled that “fact” from an unmentionable body part is now employed by One Nation as a Pauline’s Press Club speech writer. 

In 2012, Pauline was deeply lost in the political wilderness when I offered her the rare chance of being (part-time) a practitioner of the time-honoured and noble profession of talkback radio. 

Desperate for any publicity, she instantly jumped at the chance to get back on the political track. When I inquired about a fee she asked me what I thought was a fair amount. My manager had scoffed at the idea of a “budget”, suggesting Hanson should do it for nothing. 

From memory, it was settled at around $500 per shift, a night’s accommodation (on contra) and dinner with yours truly (on contra) at the renowned Civic eatery La Scala.

Over dinner she was pedestrian company at best, though I did get her scone recipe. In the studio she was completely lost during most of the two three-hour shifts. Like a lot of people who think they can “nail” talkback radio, she ran out of “entertaining” bits 90 minutes into the first day. 

As for the anticipated “boost” to the Drive Show ratings, it didn’t happen. But I did manage to revive Pauline Hanson’s political career. Sorry. 

Have I had a call to thank me? No. Not yet. But there’s still time. 

Hanson slides in the polls after voter ‘reality check’

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