Labor will seek to highlight Pauline Hanson’s record of opposing cost-of-living relief for working people as it tries to prevent One Nation further eroding its voter base. A new poll published in the Australian Financial Review put One Nation ahead of Labor for the first time, making it the most popular political party in the country.
Labor MP Mike Freelander said his party must continue to examine options to help under-pressure workers, including further income tax cuts. “I think around taxation we do need to be looking at how we can improve people’s take-home pay,” he said.
The One Nation leader has signalled she would not support a real increase to the minimum wage when the independent Fair Work Commission hands down its annual decision on Tuesday. The Albanese government has backed a wage rise that is “economically sustainable” but above the rate of inflation.
Appearing on morning television, social services minister Tanya Plibersek called out One Nation’s opposition to support for workers. “Every opportunity they’ve had, they’ve actually voted against things that would make it easier for Australians,” she said.
Freelander said while the opinion polls couldn’t be ignored, he was confident support for One Nation had peaked. “A lot of things have gone in their favour. There’s a budget that’s created some controversy. People are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,” he said.
