The Populist: Pauline Hanson's online tactics and rise
The Populist: Hanson's online tactics and rise

The final episode of The Populist podcast traces Pauline Hanson's journey from her beginnings as Australia's first 'cyber politician' to her leading role in the rightwing nativist movement that is sweeping the globe.

One Nation's pioneering online game

One Nation was the first Australian political party with a website, and its online game today is recognised as some of the most effective in the business. The party specialises in shareable anti-immigration messaging – and in bypassing traditional media to reach voters directly.

'She tells it like it is,' Pauline Hanson's supporters say. But her tactics come straight from the populist right playbook: harvesting fear and grievance for political power.

From cyber politician to global movement

In the episode, Sarah Martin traces Hanson's journey from her beginnings as Australia's first 'cyber politician' to her leading role in the rightwing nativist movement that is sweeping the globe.

A related article explores how One Nation celebrated stunning success in Queensland in 1998 – then it all fell apart.