Investigation reveals 'independent' One News Australia's links to One Nation and former 'cocaine socialite'

One News Australia claims to be an independent "right of centre" media outlet, covering "breaking news, global affairs, politics, finance, health and AI".

"We are proudly independent and 100% Australian owned. We are funded by our readers, not by political parties, governments, or undisclosed backers. We have no formal, financial, or organisational ties to any political party, and our editorial choices are entirely our own," its website states.

But an ABC NEWS Verify investigation into Australia's newest media organisation has found it is a pro-One Nation outlet, with a social media page recently rebranded from the "One Nation Supporters Network".

The listed editor of One News Australia does not exist, and the organisation appears to be closely linked to a former Sydney socialite who served jail time for dealing cocaine.

One News Australia and One Nation both say they have no affiliation with one another, but the orange-branded news reports strongly favour One Nation, with some reading more as opinion articles in support of Pauline Hanson.

These news articles are being consumed by the more than 40,000 followers One News Australia has amassed on Facebook alone.

An editor who does not exist

One News Australia registered as a company this year and began posting articles and social media pieces across various platforms in May.

On July 18, it splashed its website and social media pages with the headline "Pauline Hanson has the left green with envy, and her Europe trip didn't cost you single cent".

The 2,400-word article, a defence of Pauline Hanson's recent tour of the United Kingdom, and trip to Sicily with mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, appeared to have been written by the website's editor, Brooke Mercer.

But despite having a by-line on more than 150 articles, ABC NEWS Verify has not been able to find any evidence Brooke Mercer exists.

The ABC has contacted all publicly listed people who have that name in Australia, who all either denied any association with One News, or did not respond.

After ABC NEWS Verify attempted to contact the owner of One News via its official email address, the website was updated to confirm that the name Brooke Mercer did not refer to a real person.

"Articles are published under the unified masthead byline "Brooke Mercer" to reflect the editorial output of One News Australia," the website now reads.

"Due to direct security concerns and personal threats directed at our team, we utilise this central editorial byline to protect the safety and privacy of our writers."

It is unclear who authors One News's articles but they appear to be a mix of human and AI-generated text.

"We use AI tools in producing this masthead," the website discloses.

"Every article is reviewed by a human editor before publication, and that editor is accountable for what appears," it said.

One News claims to be reader-funded and encourages supporters to contribute via PayPal or cryptocurrency.

One News's website was updated recently to disclose there are no links to One Nation.

"We receive absolutely zero funding, grants, or financial support from One Nation, any other political party, or corporate interest groups," it reads.

"To date, our total community donations stand at less than $500 in aggregate from individual readers.

"We believe in complete transparency about how we operate."

The 'cocaine socialite'

Company records reveal the director of One News Australia is a 54-year-old man named James Mathew Winders.

He is also the co-director of three other companies alongside Lisa Campanaro, 54, and the pair have appeared in photographs together on social media.

Ms Campanaro is also the sole director of a company named Biohax Australia, which trades online as Biohax Wellness.

Biohax Australia and One News Australia are also registered to the same address.

Biohax Wellness's website previously listed James Winders as its founder who "oversees product sourcing, curation and the overall direction of the brand".

The reference to Mr Winders was recently removed.

Biohax Wellness describes itself as a "wellness platform" that is "half online store, half publication" and spruiks products including Dragon's Blood resin and organic dandelion root.

It also publishes wellness news pieces and wellness directories.

The Facebook pages of Biohax Australia and One News Australia have featured at least one identical post about Anthony Albanese.

According to company records, Lisa Campanaro was previously known as Lisa Stockbridge.

Lisa Danielle Stockbridge was jailed in 2015 after being found guilty of dealing cocaine and MDMA in Sydney.

Police raided her apartment in 2013 and found the drugs, thousands in cash, and 10 mobile phones in a floor safe.

At the time she ran a popular lifestyle blog called Urban Society, which reportedly employed 12 people.

"She turned her entrepreneurial talents to the sale and distribution of cocaine and ecstasy for profit," a judge said in sentencing remarks.

Lisa Campanaro and James Winders did not respond to questions from ABC NEWS Verify.

Recruiting for One Nation

One News Australia's largest social media following is on Facebook, where the page has more than 42,000 followers. The page was originally known as "One Nation Supporters Network" until its name changed in May.

The Facebook page was previously used to direct people towards joining the political party, including by sharing a link to the "join" page on the One Nation official website.

Since it rebranded to One News Australia, the page has continued to post in strong support of One Nation.

There are also several articles defending and spruiking Gina Rinehart.

A spokesperson for Pauline Hanson's One Nation confirmed to ABC NEWS Verify that One News Australia was not affiliated with the party.

Attempts to contact One News Australia went unanswered.