Pauline Hanson has signalled her willingness to form a coalition with the Liberals and Nationals, as her One Nation party surges in the polls. The latest Newspoll shows One Nation ahead of both major parties for the first time, threatening to win a swag of regional and outer suburban seats at the next election.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor struggled to name a single seat in Western Australia during a press conference on Friday, highlighting the Coalition's vulnerability. Taylor was asked nine times where the Liberals and Nationals hoped to make ground against Labor but could not answer, even failing to identify the seat he was standing in.
One Nation has tapped into growing anger at Labor's budget proposals and dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over broken promises. The party claimed to have raised $3 million in a few days through a 'Fire the Liar' campaign. Many voters are frustrated with the cost of living and want to express their anger at the political system.
However, political analysts warn that One Nation's policies are often 'policy-light vibe statements' that do not stand up to scrutiny. Labor and the Coalition are urged to highlight Hanson's hypocrisy and force her to explain her positions, as first-time One Nation voters could swing back with more information.
Hanson has been accused of race-baiting and punching down on migrants, Indigenous Australians and young people. Even One Nation MP David Farley noted that overseas-born workers do critical work in regional communities and that slashing immigration would hurt agriculture, aged care and transport.
Despite the surge, some believe Labor may have more time to rebuild support, with the next election due in 2028. A rough playbook from Labor MPs suggests the government could turn to political attacks against Hanson and Taylor in the months immediately ahead of the election.
