Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan has firmly ruled out a formal coalition with One Nation, despite internal party divisions and polling that suggests the rise of Pauline Hanson's party is making it increasingly difficult for the opposition to govern in its own right. Appearing on ABC's Insiders on Sunday, Tehan stated, 'We do not want to be part of a coalition with One Nation. We want to be part of a coalition with the Liberal party and the National party.'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mocked the conservative parties as an 'axis of grievance,' but Tehan insisted that a coalition with One Nation is 'not even being talked about' among his colleagues. The comments come as splits emerge within the Liberal and National parties over whether to confront One Nation or seek closer ties.
Internal Party Divisions
While a formal coalition-style arrangement is not publicly discussed, senior figures hold conflicting views. Frontbencher Andrew Hastie has declared 'war' on One Nation, while junior shadow minister Tony Pasin has suggested a seat-sharing arrangement. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie indicated she would campaign alongside Hanson in Labor-held seats, and former prime minister Tony Abbott, now Liberal party president, has backed preference deals with One Nation.
Recent opinion polls show One Nation's primary vote in the high 20s or low 30s, neck-and-neck with Labor, while the Coalition polls in the high teens or low 20s. The Guardian Essential poll last week recorded Labor at 30%, One Nation at 26%, and the Coalition at 23%. Polling experts warn that the splitting of the conservative vote could make it highly difficult for the Liberals and Nationals to return to government, especially if One Nation captures seats at the expense of Coalition MPs.
Tehan's Stance on Policy Direction
Pressed on what the Coalition must do to arrest its polling slide, Tehan pointed to criticism of Labor's broken promises on negative gearing and capital gains tax. When host David Speers pressed him on whether an alliance with One Nation is necessary, Tehan replied, 'What I want to be part of is a Liberal party and a National party that in coalition runs this country again.' He added that a coalition with One Nation is 'not even being talked about' and that the Coalition is 'not entertaining or discussing or being part of a coalition with One Nation.'
Abbott's Controversial Remarks
Tehan also distanced himself from Tony Abbott's recent speech in London, where Abbott claimed 'mass migration' was being pursued 'to dilute and eventually to extinguish the Anglo-Celtic core culture and the Judaeo-Christian foundational ethos.' Tehan said he had not heard the speech until shortly before the program but asserted that Abbott 'respects' party processes. He emphasized that the Coalition's partyroom, not its executive, sets policy, including migration. 'Angus Taylor, in his budget-in-reply speech, set the foundations of where we want to go. And, in particular, making sure that we have our migration levels in line with the amount of houses that are built in this nation,' Tehan said.
Albanese's Response
Speaking at the NSW Labor conference, Albanese mocked the conservative infighting, saying, 'The problem is not their brand – it is their product. It is not their sales pitch – it is their policies.' He described the three right-wing parties as 'the axis of grievance' engaged in 'a race to the bottom.' Albanese concluded, 'This is why, for all the shifts in the landscape over the years, the fundamental contrast in Australian politics remains the same. Our opponents only ever define themselves by who and what they are against.'
