One Nation's Battler bus breaks down near Mackay

PAULINE Hanson's state election campaign has ground to a halt with the "battler bus" experiencing mechanical problems on the Bruce Hwy.

The bus began to make noises out of the engine bay while driving through Marlborough, south of Mackay.

Senator Hanson reportedly saw the lighter side, joking "I can see the headlines already."

In the township of Marlborough, just north of where the battler bus has broken down, is Malbourough Motors. Mechanic Darryl Mckenzie didn't get the call out, which didn't bother him, however he is a One Nation supporter.

He likes Senator Pauline Hanson because "she's not like a normal politician" but in the same breath he is not sure who he'll be voting for at the upcoming state election.

At the Puma station where the bus is currently, Senator Hansen, her staff and journalists are waiting patiently.

The One Nation leader was expected to meet with Mackay's candidate Jeff Keioskie today, before travelling on to Bowen for the night, but this unexpected delay has no doubt thrown a spanner in the works.

Senator Hanson's chief of staff James Ashby has called bus hire company 'Thrifty' who are said to be sending a mechanic out within '60-70' minutes.

The 'battler bus' left Rockhampton early this morning, about 7am, where Pauline Hanson and her team stayed the night, and pulled into a fuel station at Marlborough, south of Mackay.

Sky News reporter Danielle Robertson said when the bus left the fuel station the engine light was flashing. They have currently pulled over on the Bruce Hwy to look at the engine.

Earlier on Wednesday, the One Nation leader refused a halal-friendly McDonald's breakfast, instead taking up a fish and chip shop owner's offer of instant coffee.

The federal senator boarded her "battler bus" in Rockhampton on the fourth day of her tour of key seats in central and northern Queensland ahead of the November 25 poll.

While journalists sought breakfast and their first coffee of the day from a local McDonald's, Senator Hanson refused to eat or even go near the store because it is halal-friendly, her chief-of-staff James Ashby said.

Senator Hanson was then approached by local fish and chips shop owner Gary Bowen, who offered to make her an instant coffee for free.

While the pair chatted about the rising cost of gas and electricity, Senator Hanson snacked on battered chips and reminisced about her 10 years behind the fryer.