In a jubilant atmosphere at the Kent Town Hotel in inner suburban Adelaide, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson addressed a crowd of enthusiastic supporters following the South Australian election. The party's primary vote rocketed to above 20%, marking a significant surge that has reshaped the political landscape.
Hanson's Defiant Message to the Premier
Taking the microphone to chants of "Pauline! Pauline!" from the orange-clad, predominantly older crowd, Hanson began by downplaying her own role. "Today is not about Pauline Hanson," she declared, though the adoration was palpable with one man shouting, "We love you Pauline."
However, the tone shifted as she directed her remarks towards South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, who has previously emphasised Hanson's Queensland origins. "Guess what, mate," she said defiantly. "I'm going to leave you some landmines."
The 'Landmines' Set to Explode
Hanson elaborated that these political landmines include the party's state leader Carlos Quaremba, newly elected upper-house MP Cory Bernardi, and potentially one or more lower-house MPs. She suggested these figures could "explode" in the political arena, indicating a strategy of disruption and pressure on the Labor government.
The mood at the election night party was one of sheer jubilation, reminiscent of a victory celebration for a party set to form government. Supporters expressed unwavering optimism, with many declaring this result as just the beginning of One Nation's ascent.
Celebrity Support and Fan Adoration
The event attracted notable figures including anti-lockdown activist Monica Smit and George Mamalis from the Australian branch of Turning Point, the late rightwing Christian activist Charlie Kirk's organisation. Both received shout-outs from Quaremba during the festivities.
Hanson herself moved between a private hangout and the raucous function room, giving interviews to Sky News, taking endless selfies, and signing autographs for devoted fans. One supporter, Kyle Watson, even had her sign a T-shirt featuring an image of Hanson in bathers—a gift from a friend who knows his admiration for the Queensland firebrand.
Policy Appeal and Voter Sentiment
When asked about specific policies that attracted them to One Nation, some supporters struggled to articulate details beyond their excitement. One repeated "I'm so excited" three times, while another, Jan Ween, praised Hanson's personal qualities. "She's just gorgeous—and I'm a happy Jan," Ween said. "I like everything about her. She's like my mum, my grandmother. I like her principles and her policies."
Pressed on which policies specifically, Ween pointed to immigration: "I like the fact she's going to pull down immigration." This sentiment reflects a core element of One Nation's platform that resonates with their base.
Polling Validation and Political Reshaping
The election result validated pre-election polls that showed One Nation ahead of the Liberals. YouGov had them at 22% to the Liberals' 19%, while Newspoll showed 22% to 16%. This primary vote appears to have held firm through election day.
Cory Bernardi, the controversial former Liberal senator who joined One Nation in February, noted the party's evolving perception. "For a long time One Nation had been dismissed as ... a party of protest," he observed, suggesting this result indicates a more substantial political force.
Hanson's Social Media Declaration
Earlier on Instagram, Hanson had framed the election regardless of specific outcomes: "Whatever the result, you've put the major parties into a panic—and that's a job well done." This statement captures the disruptive strategy that characterises One Nation's approach to Australian politics.
The celebration continued long after Hanson's departure, with the Flaming Sambucas getting people on the dancefloor to Abba's "Waterloo." The crowd sang along to lyrics that seemed fitting: "I feel like I win, win or lose." They later dedicated Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" to their leader, with the line "Don't you know that I'm still standing better than I ever did?" echoing through the venue.
This election night marked not just a statistical achievement for One Nation, but a cultural moment for their supporters—a validation of their political choices and a warning to established parties that Hanson's influence in South Australian politics has reached new heights.
