One Nation senator 'paying own way' to Trump inauguration

One Nation senator Brian Burston says he'll pay his own way to Washington for Donald Trump's inauguration after a congressman secured the party a ticket.

One Nation Senator Brian Burston

One Nation senator Brian Burston says he'll pay his own way to attend Donald Trump's inauguration. (AAP)

One Nation senator Brian Burston is looking forward to meeting the US congressman who secured the party a ticket to the hottest show in Washington - Donald Trump's inauguration.

And he will be paying his own way to the US capital, believing Australian taxpayers shouldn't pick up the cost.

The NSW senator is taking up the invitation, which was declined by party leader Pauline Hanson due to work commitments, with colleague Malcolm Roberts unable to go due to a hernia treatment.

The ticket was secured through Senator Roberts' economics policy advisor Darren Nelson, who was a former advisor to Trump in the early days, Senator Burston confirmed.

The invitation itself came from US congressman Adam Kinzinger, from Illinois.

"I will be meeting with the congressman and espousing our great country to him," he told ABC radio on Tuesday.

The One Nation senator believes he will be representing the party, his state of NSW and Australia at the event.

He will also be paying his own way and insists he still would have reached into his own pocket even without recent controversies about politicians' entitlements.

"I don't think the taxpayer should be paying for me to go to an overseas political event," he said.

"It's not related to Australia in any way in the sense of policy."

Senator Burston admires the president-elect's ability to "say it as it is", his anti-establishment stance and looks forward to him ripping up the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact.

Officials expect up to 900,000 people to attend the January 20 ceremony, with American federal politicians getting nearly 250,000 free tickets for seats to give away.

The inauguration is also expected to attract many protests.

US ambassador Joe Hockey will formally represent Australia at the ceremony.


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2 min read
Published 17 January 2017 9:24am
Updated 17 January 2017 10:34am
Source: AAP


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