James Ashby

James Hunter Ashby (born 1979) is an Australian political advisor and former radio presenter. In 2012, he made allegations of sexual harassment against the former Speaker of the House, Peter Slipper, triggering a political scandal.^[1] He is currently the chief of staff for Pauline Hanson, the leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation political party,^[2] and the One Nation party secretary.^[3]

James Ashby
General secretary of Pauline Hanson's One Nation
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 April 2017
President	Pauline Hanson
Preceded by	Jim Savage
Personal details
Born	James Hunter Ashby 1979 (age 43–44) Nambour, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Pauline Hanson's One Nation
Other political affiliations	Liberal National (2011–2014)
Residence(s)	Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Occupation	Print media company director (Newa Printing Pty Ltd) Public relations manager Self-employed Radio host (4RO, Sea FM, Triple M, NXFM, 4TO FM, Hot FM)
Profession	Journalist businessman

Radio career

Prior to being involved in politics, Ashby was a radio presenter, working for commercial radio stations in Roma, Gympie, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Newcastle and Townsville.

He began his career at a community station at Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, before moving to commercial radio. Ashby worked at a commercial radio station in Roma before quitting after six weeks due to the hot weather. He then worked in Gympie and on the Sunshine Coast before moving to Rockhampton.

During 1999 and 2000, he co-hosted the breakfast program on local AM radio station 4RO. In April 2000, Ashby's co-host Olivia Scott became embroiled in controversy when she read a mock apology to the Stolen Generations on air, which was sent in by a listener. Scott was suspended and the station was found to have breached its licence conditions as the content racially vilified Aboriginal Australians. Scott was suspended during the investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Authority and when she was reinstated, she was required to read an on-air apology. Ashby has said that watching Scott endure the media attention associated with the controversy without being able to help her was the lowest point of his radio career.

While he was in Rockhampton, RG Capital, the owners of 4RO were issued with a new FM licence enabling the company to establish a Sea FM station for the area to provide listeners with an FM alternative to 4RO. Ashby was tasked with helping set up the station, and became the new station's first announcer in October 2000, co-hosting the breakfast show with Joanne Spargo. He remained with Sea FM in Rockhampton until October 2001 when he was dismissed by station management. Reasons for his departure remain unclear but local media reported at the time that Ashby was considering taking legal action against the station following his dismissal. Ashby has since admitted he left Sea FM on bad terms, and was told that he would never work in radio again.^[4]

After leaving Rockhampton, he worked at Triple M in Brisbane for six months before moving to Newcastle where he was a drive announcer on NXFM. In October 2002, Ashby resigned from NXFM after he was charged with verbally harassing another radio presenter at rival station, NEW FM. It was alleged that Ashby made four offensive phone calls. Ashby said he received a $2060 fine and a three-year good behaviour bond as punishment.^[5][6]

He moved to North Queensland in January 2004, he continued his radio work, beginning work for DMG Regional Radio, doing various on air shifts at Townsville radio stations 4TO FM and Hot FM.^[7]

Before becoming media advisor for Peter Slipper, Ashby was employed as marketing manager for Gowinta Farms on the Sunshine Coast. In May 2011, Ashby appeared in media coverage, after an attempted poisoning of the crops on the farm, after poison was discovered in a water tank.^[8][9]

Politics

Media advisor

Ashby rose to prominence when he made allegations that he was sexually harassed by federal MP Peter Slipper. In 2012, Ashby alleged that while working as Slipper's media advisor, he was the victim of sexual harassment which consisted of unwanted sexual advances, hundreds of suggestive text messages and a request to shower with the door open at a Canberra unit.^[10]

In December 2012, the Federal Court dismissed the allegations.^[11] However, in February 2014, Ashby won an appeal against the decision to dismiss the case.^[12][13] Then, in June 2014, Ashby decided to drop the lawsuit entirely less than two weeks before it was due to commence. At the time, Slipper said he viewed Ashby's decision to withdraw the opportunity to have the allegations tested in court as being vindication against any wrongdoing.^[14] Several months later, Ashby said in a television interview that he had been promised a job and legal funding by Slipper's former party colleague Christopher Pyne, after telling him of the sexual harassment.^[15][16]

In 2015, the Australian Federal Police raided the home of Ashby, and the home of Ashby's parents, during an investigation into allegations that former federal MP Mal Brough illegally obtained copies of diaries belonging to Peter Slipper, ahead of Ashby's sexual harassment case. The search warrants also related to any material associating federal MPs Christopher Pyne and Wyatt Roy, who were both suspected of offering Ashby inducements to complain about Slipper. Following the raids, Ashby agreed to be formally interviewed by police about the allegations of copying diaries belonging to Slipper.^[17][18] After the scandal, Ashby retreated to Yeppoon, where he worked as a signwriter and pilot.^[19]

When details of Ashby's sexual harassment allegations first became known in 2012, ABC Television's current affairs program 7.30 aired allegations that Ashby had been involved in a relationship with a fifteen-year-old boy in Townsville, Queensland. The program reported that the boy, prompted by media coverage of Ashby's allegations, sent an email to Peter Slipper detailing the relationship he had with Ashby. It also aired contents of a Facebook message that Ashby allegedly sent back to the boy previously, just prior to commencing his role as media advisor. The program also reported that Peter Slipper had encouraged the boy to go to the police, but a few weeks later, Slipper himself wrote to Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson about the allegations, and forwarded on the email and the Facebook message. In a statement, the Queensland Police Service said they were in the process of determining whether any person was wanting to make an official complaint and whether there was enough evidence for prosecution.^[20][21]

When his claims drew criticism from politicians, Ashby lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission. His lawyers complained in May 2012 that Senator Bob Carr had tweeted that their client "seems more rehearsed than a kabuki actor", and that Senator Barnaby Joyce told media he was "only slightly less dodgy than Slipper".^[22][23]

One Nation

 

Pauline Hanson in a Jabiru J230 at Caboolture Airfield for the Caboolture Air Show. The aircraft has "Fed Up" slogan decals on the side (April 2016)

In 2015, Ashby became involved in Pauline Hanson's One Nation political party as media advisor. As Ashby holds a pilot's licence, he also spends time flying Hanson to and from political events and commitments around the country.^[19]

In November 2016, the chief of staff for Senator Rod Culleton said that Ashby threw a phone at her after an argument. Hanson said it was an underarm throw and that the incident had been blown out of proportion.^[24][25] (In a similar incident years before, Ashby was alleged to have thrown a newspaper reporter's phone.^[26]) Also in November, Ashby told journalists not to ask off-topic questions at a press conference held by Senator Malcolm Roberts.^[27][28] Former One Nation treasurer, Ian Nelson, has accused Ashby of directing One Nation candidates to use Ashby's printing business for getting campaign materials printed, saying that candidates feared becoming disendorsed if they did not use Ashby's press and that Ashby's rates were "more than the going rate".^[29] Following Shan Ju Lin's disendorsement from One Nation, Lin accused Ashby of deciding on Hanson's behalf that Lin should be disendorsed.^[30] Hanson has requested that Ashby sit in for her at National Broadband Network committee meetings in April and on other occasions if need be.^[31]

In May 2017, a leaked audio recorded Ashby suggesting that One Nation over-inflate prices on campaign material sold to their candidates for financial profit in upcoming state elections. In response, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sought advice from the justice minister, Michael Keenan, and the Australian Federal Police while the Labor Party called for a police probe into the matter. Ashby and Hanson denied that the idea had ever been implemented.^[32]

In November 2017, Ashby called then One Nation member Stephen Lane, who was an independent candidate for the seat of Thuringowa, and threatened to cancel Lanes's membership if he did not take down a video on his Facebook page explaining to the public that he was a One Nation member but had decided to run for the seat of Thuringowa as an independent because of the lack of transparency in the party. Lane has since received a letter cancelling his membership.^[33]

In February 2019, Ashby was involved in a physical altercation with Senator Brian Burston, who had made a sexual harassment claim against Pauline Hanson.^[34] The President of the Senate, Scott Ryan, stripped Ashby of his parliamentary pass after the incident, which inhibited Ashby from entering the building until the ban was revoked.^[35]

One Nation–National Rifle Association scandal

In March 2019, it was revealed that Ashby had been secretly captured on video with Steve Dickson courting the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) seeking funds for Pauline Hanson's One Nation, with the promise to weaken Australia's gun laws if they gained the balance of power in the Australian parliament.^[36][37][38] Al Jazeera conducted a three-year long operation to uncover this activity, by having a person called Rodger Muller pose as the head of a fake gun lobby group, Gun Rights Australia, then having Muller record meetings he attended with Ashby and Queensland state leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation, Steve Dickson, where strategies to seek support from the National Rifle Association and at least one of their large corporate benefactor were discussed. The footage from these meetings were used to produce an episode for Al Jazeera English, titled How to Sell a Massace.^[39] As of 26 March 2019, Al Jazeera said that Part Two would be released shortly. Pauline Hanson and One Nation were criticised for seeking funding from overseas, due to the support the party had given to banning foreign donations to Australian political parties.^[40] Although How to Sell a Massacre showed Ashby and Dickson meeting with people that represented the NRA, and openly discussing their plans, the episode did not produce evidence showing that Pauline Hanson's One Nation had received any funding from the NRA or the corporate benefactor approached during the filming.

Speaking to "Rodger Muller", Dickson said that "If they threw ten million dollars at us, we could f'king win a heap of seats. Plus a shitload of seats in the senate. Mate, if you make this shit happen, I'll make sure we open any f**king door you need open."  During the meetings with the NRA, Dickson said, "We get the balance of power, very simply that means that we have the testicles of the Government in our hand at every given stage." "If we can get a million dollars f**king U.S. towards social media. I don’t even need the money. I just need the grunt. If we get the grunt of that much social media supporting us, I don't need to touch the money… They [the NRA] are a third party punching this shit in, and we're giving them the stuff that they're punching in - there's the trick - it's experience. I've been a minister in the government. I'm really fortunate because I was on a committee within parliament called the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee. It's bad shit. I'm never going to jail because (Muller interjects, "You've figured it out") because I walk the knife."^[36]

During Ashby and Dickson's meeting with the NRA's Public Relations team, Lars Dalseide (NRA Media Liaison), suggests to Dickson tactics to use in the wake of any mass shootings in Australia. In reply to Dalseide's suggested line, "How dare you stand on the graves of those children and put forth your political agenda?" Dickson replies, "I love that." Dalseide: "If your policy isn't good enough to stand on its own, how dare you use their deaths to push that forward?" Ashby: "That's really good. That's really strong."^[36]

During the NRA meetings, Dickson expressed anti-Muslim sentiments: "We’ve been importing all these Muslims into Australia. We have about 230,000 people coming in a year. Our population's only 25 million - some really dangerous people. They're just breaking into people's homes with baseball bats and killing people. Basically stealing everything they own. Gangs. Our country is going into chaos." Ashby expressed his views of the Greens Party: "We've got a political party called the Greens. They are fucktards, honestly, they are the worst people. They are Democrats on steroids. Beyond your imagination."^[36]

Though both Ashby and Dickson declined Al Jazeera's invitation to comment on the footage, ABC News reported that "In a statement, Mr Ashby has accused Al Jazeera of being 'a state-owned propaganda arm of the Qatari Government that supports Islamic extremist groups and are not a legitimate media organisation. The matter has been referred to ASIO and the Australian Federal Police due to concerns of foreign interference into Australian politics in the lead-up to the imminent federal election. It is understood One Nation was targeted because of its strong approach to reducing immigration numbers and a travel ban on countries with terrorism links. One Nation strongly supports the rights of lawful gun ownership within Australia and have clearly outlined our policy on our website. One Nation members have always complied with the law.'"^[37]

A further public statement was made by Ashby and Dickson on 26 March 2019, in which the pair excused themselves on the grounds of being drunk at the time.^[41]

References

1. Daniel Hurst (2 December 2015). "Mal Brough, Peter Slipper's diary and #Ashbygate: the key issues explained | Australia news". The Guardian. from the original on 2 December 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
2. Willan, Fiona (14 February 2019). "Pauline Hanson's chief-of-staff banned from parliament after fist fight". Nine News. from the original on 2 May 2019.
3. Karp, Paul (4 April 2017). "One Nation restructure makes James Ashby party secretary". The Guardian. from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
4. "James Ashby talks to radioinfo about his day in court". Radioinfo.com.au. 21 November 2002. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
5. Silmalis, Linda; Clune, Richard (22 April 2012). "James Ashby's abuse conviction for making threatening phonecalls". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
6. Chang, Gabrielle (15 February 2019). "James Ashby's ejection from parliament tops off a colourful career". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
7. "James Ashby starts w". Radioinfo.com.au. 13 January 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
8. "Strawberry poisoning bid foiled". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
9. "Strawberry farm foils poisoning attempt". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
10. "Peter Slipper text messages with James Ashby". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
11. Ashby v Commonwealth of Australia (No 4) [2012] FCA 1411 (12 December 2012), Federal Court (Australia).
12. Ashby v Slipper [2014] FCAFC 15 (27 February 2014), Federal Court (Full Court) (Australia).
13. "James Ashby wins appeal against Federal Court decision to throw out case against Peter Slipper – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
14. "James Ashby drops sexual harassment suit against Peter Slipper". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
15. Hutchens, Gareth (7 September 2014). "Christopher Pyne allegedly offered to help find James Ashby a lawyer and a job". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
16. Thomsen, Simon (7 September 2014). "What We Learnt From 60 Minutes' Interview With 'Slippergate' Whistleblower James Ashby". Business Insider Australia. Axel Springer SE. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
17. "Police Raid James Ashby Home Over Peter Slipper Diary Probe". The Australian. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
18. "James Ashby's Diary Admission, "Wyatt Roy Told Me to Do It"". The Australian. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
19. Caruso, John; Coghill, Jon (28 July 2015). "James Ashby joins Pauline Hanson's entourage, as her pilot". 90.3 ABC Coast FM. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
20. "7.30". ABC. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
21. "Ashby facing teen sex claims: ABC". Sunshine Coast Daily. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
22. Murphy, Katharine; Ireland, Judith (17 May 2012). "Slipper accuser now pursuing Carr, Joyce". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
23. Hawley, Samantha (17 May 2012). "Peter Slipper staffer now lodges fresh complaint with HRC". Radio National, PM programme. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
24. Karp, Paul (14 November 2016). "Hanson brushes off complaints her staffer threw phone at Rod Culleton aide". The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
25. Cassidy, Barrie (host) (11 November 2016). "Sunday November 11 Full Program". Insiders. 51:16 minutes in. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC1. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
26. Nancarrow, Dan (9 March 2012). "Slipper pleads ignorance of phone incident". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
27. Jeffrey, James (8 November 2016). "The Sketch: all at sea with climate, conspiracy and Rod Culleton". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 December 2016. ...the room was forcefully acquainted with the voice of One Nation adviser James Ashby. "We're not on the subject of Rod Culleton this morning," he barked. "We have a different agenda this morning, so stick to it, eh?"
28. Cassidy, Barrie (host) (13 November 2016). "Sunday November 13 Full Program". Insiders. 51:25 minutes in. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
29. "Knives out for Pauline Hanson staffer James Ashby, accused of profiting off candidates". Financial Review. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
30. Casey Briggs (9 January 2017). "Dumped One Nation candidate won't apologise for anti-gay comments". ABC News. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
31. Workman, Alice. "Parliament Rejects Bizarre Request To Have Pauline Hanson's Chief of Staff Sit in For Her". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
32. Dziedzic, Stephen (22 May 2017). "Pauline Hanson says One Nation rejected James Ashby's plan to cash in on election materials". ABC News. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
33. "One Nation 'Copy cat' in Thuringowa". Retrieved 10 November 2017.
34. "Pauline Hanson staffer James Ashby scuffles with ex-One Nation senator Brian Burston as sexual harassment claims rock party". Retrieved 14 February 2019.
35. "Pauline Hanson staffer James Ashby banned from parliament over 'bloody brawl'". SBS News. Special Broadcasting Service. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
36. Charley, Peter (25 March 2019). "How to Sell a Massacre: NRA's playbook revealed". Al Jazeera. from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
37. Clarke, Melissa (25 March 2019). "One Nation wanted millions from the NRA while planning to soften Australia's gun laws". ABC News. from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
38. Karp, Paul (25 March 2019). "One Nation's James Ashby filmed seeking $20m from NRA to weaken Australia's gun laws". The Guardian – Australian Edition. from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
39. Part One on YouTube.
40. "Labor, Coalition unite to reject legislative changes which would make political donations more transparent - ABC News". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
41. Smee, Ben; McGowan, Michael. "One Nation's James Ashby says he was 'on the sauce' when seeking $20m from NRA". The Guardian – Australian Edition. Retrieved 28 March 2019.