Pauline Hanson Made Lots of Friends on Her First Day in Parliament

One Nation leader, and newly reinstated senator, Pauline Hanson enjoyed a pleasant first day in Parliament on Wednesday. She got to sit next to George Christensen, and enjoy a lively conversation with Cory Bernardi. But the experience she'll no doubt cherish the most is her reunion with Tony Abbott.

In an awkwardly staged video, which rivals Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's now iconic "Australia is a beautiful island" dog smuggling apology, Hanson met with the former prime minister in her office to enjoy a cup of coffee. They then shared the experience on their respective social media accounts.

The video may last only 40 seconds—the cup of coffee was allegedly enjoyed offscreen—but during that time Hanson and Tony cosy up together on a couch, exchange civilities, and attempt to pretend they aren't robots in skin suits. If you look closely, you'll also observe some serious manspreading.

Abbott kicks off the conversation, politely telling his companion that "it's good to catch up with you after all these years."

"I really appreciate you coming to my office and saying 'hello' and welcoming me to the Parliament," Hanson replies. "And we've had a bit of a chat and we've had a cup of coffee and it's great and I really do appreciate that… Tony."

The two politicians then agree that representing Australians in Parliament is a "big responsibility," before shaking hands and looking mutually relieved for this to be over.

The media advisor who staged Abbott and Hanson's video was undoubtedly trying to bury the hatchet between the two MPs. In 1998, Abbott helped finance legal action against Hanson.

She's blamed both him and former Prime Minister John Howard for the 11 weeks she served in jail in 2003, before her electoral fraud conviction was quashed on appeal.

It isn't hard to see why politicians—particularly from the Liberal party, who maintain only a slim lower house majority in Parliament—want to get on Hanson's good side. One Nation secured four Senate seats in the election, and they'll prove essential allies to the government.

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