Zero policies and a blank page: Is Pauline Hanson serious about Victoria?

August 20, 2026 — 5:00am

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

John Barnes struggles to do simple things. He cannot bathe unattended, cook or drive himself to work. His memory is poor and cognitive capacity severely diminished, his doctors believe, from permanent brain injury caused by repeatedly being knocked unconscious while playing football.

About a decade after he ended a celebrated AFL career, Barnes was diagnosed with post-traumatic epilepsy. He takes medication for the condition but can have seizures without warning. Rowena Barnes says her husband is also prone to sudden mood swings and outbursts.

“He can snap at the drop of a hat and go into a rage, which is just not John” she said in a 2017 interview.

Back then, Barnes was the public face of a campaign to force the AFL to improve its management of concussion and accept responsibility for former players suspected to be living with the effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE.

He is now One Nation’s candidate for the seat of Essendon in November.

Disillusioned Victorians are kicking One Nation’s tyres. Save yourself the time, it’s a lemon

Chip Le GrandState political editor

State political editor

It is a perplexing choice which, while guaranteed to generate attention in a footy-mad town and, potentially, bring political attention to the concussion crisis in contact sports, raises fresh questions about whether Pauline Hanson’s party is serious about this Victorian election.

Since retiring from football,........

© The Age