A dispute over a flagpole kickstarted Shire of Esperance councillor Gemma Johnston’s career in politics, a career she is hoping to pursue to the national stage.

Standing for O’Connor in the Federal election on May 3, Cr Johnston is representing Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.

The Town ward councillor has been an active voice on local issues.

The flagpole saga began in 2020 when she raised the Australian flag on her Blue Haven property and was told the pole was too close to her front boundary.

Eventually, the row went to the State Administrative Tribunal which gave Cr Johnston 65 days to remove the flagpole.

Furious at what she believed had been a lack of transparency, she vowed to stand for the council and while her tilt at the shire presidency fell short in October 2023, she was elected as a councillor, a seat she can hold until October 16, 2027.

The flagpole hasn’t moved. In fact, it’s now even bigger.

“I’m looking at that flagpole right now,” she said. “In fact, it’s probably twice the size of the original one.

“Even though I never thought someone like me would want to stand for council and get involved with politics, that’s what made me want to stand.

“I never chose this path, it chose me.”

While she’s supporting the One Nation platform on cost-of-living relief, tax reform and stronger rural services, she strongly opposes the South Coast Marine Park.

“I’ve learned that our hands are tied at local level, and I won’t sit back while Canberra robs our coastal communities of their livelihoods and freedoms,” she said.

“The marine park is ripping our hearts out; it’s taking the soul of our town.”

If elected, Cr Johnston has pledged to advocate for critical investments in regional housing, GP access, airport infrastructure and aged care.

“Since my family doctor retired several years ago, I have been unable to secure another GP. The system is broken,” she said.

One Nation State leader Rod Caddies said Cr Johnston’s involvement in the community was the reason she was chosen as the party’s candidate.

“She is particularly community minded and very much wants to be the voice of the people,” he said.

Cr Johnston is set to join One Nation founder and leader Pauline Hanson on the campaign trail, meeting her in Perth for the Anzac service on April 25 and then travelling with her to Kalgoorlie.

After that they will head to the Nullarbor Muster, a rodeo event in Rawlinna, 380 km east of Kalgoorlie, before returning to Esperance.

“I’m honoured Senator Hanson is making time for our region in the lead-up to the election,” Cr Johnston said.

“My family has been in farming, retail and commercial property for over 50 years,” she said.

“I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our communities face and the resilience that defines us.

“It’s simply unacceptable that people in O’Connor can’t rely on safe roads, access a working internet connection or confidently book a flight to see a health specialist in Perth.”

One Nation entered the race in O’Connor in 2019 and polled 8.4 per cent.

In 2022, Stan Kustrin was the party’s candidate, receiving 6833 first preference votes at 7.06 per cent.