One Nation’s Victorian leader Warren Pickering has publicly addressed a series of damaging reports, admitting to a history of illicit drug use and traffic offenses following allegations leveled by his former partner.
Standing before reporters on Tuesday, the 43-year-old father-of-four confirmed he used substances including speed, ecstasy, and marijuana during his 20s. The press conference followed an investigation by The Australian newspaper, in which Mr. Pickering’s ex-partner detailed their history of shared drug use.
“Never would I have ever said that I was somebody that was a drug addict,” Mr. Pickering told the media. “I did use them as a young man and I’m not proud of that.”
Mr. Pickering, who was appointed as the party’s Victorian leader just last month, emphasized that he cleaned up his life before enlisting in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) at age 28. He claimed he fully disclosed his previous drug history during the ADF application process.
Addressing the personal toll of his past choices, the candidate expressed deep remorse regarding his impact on his family. “The mistakes I made in my 20s hurt people. They hurt me, they hurt people I loved and I will live with that forever,” he said. “I always wish for these kids that I was able to do better. I did the best that I could with what I had to work with at the time.”
Beyond his history with narcotics, Mr. Pickering also acknowledged a troubled driving record, admitting to losing his license for drink driving on multiple occasions, including at ages 18 and 20, with a further suspension occurring a decade later. He stated clearly that he has never served time in prison.
One Nation Chief of Staff James Ashby appeared alongside Mr. Pickering, telling reporters that the party stands by their candidate. Mr. Ashby also addressed other issues raised in the reports, including an alleged irregularity regarding a home-buying grant. Mr. Ashby maintained that Mr. Pickering was previously unaware of the issue but was now willing to “own” the mistake.
“He’s quite aware of the importance of owning the past and — equally as important — providing hope for those who might be in a similar set of circumstances,” Mr. Ashby said. “His story is not unique. If anything, it demonstrates how someone young and determined can get their life back on track.”
The controversy comes at a critical time for the party, as Mr. Pickering prepares to contest the seat of Pakenham in the upcoming November state election. While federal leader Pauline Hanson has stated she stands by Mr. Pickering, the potential for an alliance between the Liberal Party and One Nation remains a point of intense political friction, despite consistent denials from the Liberal leadership.
The press conference was marked by tension, with One Nation officials removing representatives from the ABC and The Guardian from the venue prior to the commencement of proceedings.
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