[2][3] He was the Opposition Leader in the ACT, as well as Shadow Minister for Health, Police, Corrections and Indigenous Affairs, between February 2013 and October 2016.

Before his election, Hanson served for 22 years in the Army, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel.

[8] He was deployed to East Timor and Iraq, and earned the Conspicuous Service Cross[9] for his work at Army headquarters.

[12] have claimed that Hanson's ousting as the Canberra Liberals' deputy leader was influenced by a growing rejection of social conservatism and right-wing populism in the party in favour of a more Moderate approach.

[13] Hanson opposed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal and endorsed the No campaign in the 2023 referendum on the matter.