One Nation leader Warren Pickering admits past drug use and scandals ahead of Victorian election
Consensus Summary
One Nation’s Victorian leader Warren Pickering held a press conference admitting to past drug use in his 20s, including ecstasy, speed, and marijuana, while denying being a drug addict or using ice. He confirmed losing his driver’s licence three times—at ages 18, 20, and again a decade later—and expressed regret for hurting loved ones, including his four kids. Pickering, now 43, joined the Australian Defence Force at 28 and later entered politics, standing for Pakenham in the November 2025 Victorian election. His former partner Joanne Scott’s allegations, published by *The Australian*, claim he used ice in front of children, which he denies. One Nation’s national support is at 30 per cent, but Victoria polls show weaker support at 19 per cent, trailing the coalition and Labor. The party’s rise hinges on relatable 'hard luck' narratives, with Pickering’s personal revelations framed as authentic by supporters. Contradictions exist over the extent of his drug use and the circumstances of his past relationships, with *The Age* providing more personal details than other outlets.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Warren Pickering admitted to using drugs in his 20s, including ecstasy, methamphetamines (referred to as 'speed'), and marijuana
- Pickering denied using 'ice' (methamphetamine) in front of children or being a drug addict
- Pickering lost his driver’s licence three times: as an 18-year-old, as a 20-year-old, and again a decade later
- Pickering is standing as One Nation’s candidate for the seat of Pakenham in the November 2025 Victorian election
- Pickering was named One Nation’s Victorian leader in August 2026, after previously running in the 2022 state election and the 2025 federal Senate election without success
- Pickering joined the Australian Defence Force at age 28 and served as a combat engineer
- Pickering has four kids: one daughter and three other children (from his former partner Joanne Scott)
- One Nation’s national primary vote stands at 30 per cent nationally, with Labor at 29 per cent, according to a Newspoll from late August 2026
- The Victorian state coalition (Liberal/National) leads with 31 per cent, Labor at 28 per cent, and One Nation at 19 per cent in Victoria
- Pickering’s former partner, Joanne Scott, made allegations against him published by *The Australian*, which he denies
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Pickering will be the third time he has stood as a candidate for One Nation in Victoria, with the next election on November 28 2025
- Pickering shacked up as an 18-year-old brickie with the widow of his boss after her death in a car crash
- Pickering raised four kids in a household tormented by a 'junkie' mother (Joanne Scott)
- Pickering’s daughter Jhett tearfully described how her father was always there for her, while Scott’s eldest son Johnny claimed she remains stuck in her past
- Pickering’s press conference confession was described as 'raw, sad and bizarrely uplifting'
- Pickering denied smoking ice but admitted to taking other powerful stimulants
- Guardian Australia and the ABC were barred from attending Pickering’s press conference at Crown Casino
- Pickering said he was 'working with lawyers' to get the stories 'taken down' and considering defamation action
- James Ashby stated Pickering’s 'sexual deviance' note referenced an open relationship involving a third person
- Pickering described himself as 'no angel' as a young man but denied being a drug addict
- Pickering was announced as One Nation’s Victorian leader last month (August 2026)
- Pickering admitted to losing his licence for 'low-level' drink driving a decade later (implied around age 38)
- Pickering said he stopped using drugs before joining the ADF at age 28
- One Nation removed ABC and *The Guardian* reporters from the press conference venue before it began
- Pickering previously worked in construction and Queensland’s mining industry before returning to Victoria
- Pickering’s former partner Joanne Scott made allegations about drug use in the home shared with their daughter and her three sons
- Pickering denied ever using methamphetamines (despite earlier admitting to 'speed')
- The press conference was held a month after Pickering was announced as Victorian leader
- One Nation’s national primary support is 30 per cent, but Victoria polls show One Nation at 19 per cent, behind the coalition (31 per cent) and Labor (28 per cent)
- The coalition needs a net gain of 16 seats to form a majority government
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The *Guardian* and ABC say Pickering denied using 'ice' (methamphetamine), but *The Australian* (cited in *The Age* and *7News*) claims Joanne Scott alleged he smoked ice in front of children
- The *Age* says Pickering admitted to taking 'other powerful stimulants' beyond speed, while the *Guardian* and ABC only list speed, ecstasy, and marijuana
- The *Age* describes Pickering’s drug use as occurring while raising 'four kids' in a household with a 'junkie' mother, but the *Guardian* and ABC do not mention the mother’s addiction status
- The *Age* implies Pickering’s drug use happened while he was an 18-year-old brickie, but the *Guardian* and ABC specify his drug use was in his 20s
- The *Age* says Pickering’s daughter Jhett lives in Melbourne with no relationship to Joanne Scott, but this detail is not mentioned in other sources
Source Articles
Pickering’s flawed life speaks to One Nation voters in a way the rest of us don’t understand
Warren Pickering’s press conference was raw, sad and bizarrely, uplifting – like watching a Jerry Springer episode when all the members of a dysfunctional family hug at the end.
One Nation’s Warren Pickering admits to illegal drug use and says he is ‘no angel’ in extraordinary press conference
Victorian One Nation leader says his actions ‘hurt people I loved, and I will live with that forever’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Victorian One Nation leader, Warren Pickering, has admitted he “made mistakes” in his 20s, including using ecstasy, methamphetamines and marijuana, losing his licence multiple times for drink driving and hurting people he loved. But he has denied claims by his ex-partner, publi
One Nation Victorian leader Warren Pickering admits to previous drug use
One Nation's Victorian leader Warren Pickering has admitted to a history of drug use following a series of reports in The Australian newspaper.
One Nation’s Victorian state leader Warren Pickering admits past drug use after ex partner’s allegations
Warren Pickering held a press conference on Tuesday, saying he ‘made mistakes’ in his 20s.
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