In a seismic shift for Australian politics, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has declared her party a genuine contender for government after a landmark poll placed it ahead of the Coalition for the first time in history.
A Historic Polling Reversal
The latest Newspoll, released on Monday, delivered a stunning result. The Coalition's primary vote has collapsed to a historic low of just 21 per cent, marking its fourth record low under the leadership of Sussan Ley and a near ten-point drop from its 2022 election result.
In a dramatic contrast, support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation has surged, climbing seven points in just two months to reach a record high of 22 per cent. This pivotal moment represents the first time in Australian polling history that a party other than Labor or the Coalition has outpolled one of the major parties.
Hanson: 'I'm Not the Little Woman Anymore'
Addressing the media, a confident Hanson acknowledged the surge in support, thanking voters for their confidence. When questioned on how she would reassure voters concerned about her party's candidate track record—One Nation has lost over two-thirds of its elected MPs before term's end since 1998—Hanson argued the party had been unfairly targeted.
"I've had everything thrown at me bar the kitchen sink," she stated. "I'm not the little woman from the fish and chip shop anymore - I've got 30 years of experience under my belt. If you underestimate me, that's your mistake."
She attributed the major parties' decline to deep public frustration, citing cost-of-living pressures and recent national tragedies as "wake-up calls" for Australians. Mass migration, housing shortages, and job security were also highlighted as top concerns driving voters towards her platform.
A 'Viable Alternative' and New Momentum
When pressed on whether One Nation could now be considered a realistic alternative government, Hanson was unequivocal. "You bet it is," she asserted. "I'm not here to prop up the Coalition or the Labor Party or anyone else."
Hanson credited the defection of former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce to One Nation last year with providing fresh momentum. "Leadership is about getting the right team around you," she remarked, criticising the Nationals for failing to recognise his value.
Joyce defended his move, stating it was made at his "own volition" and noting that MPs changing parties is not uncommon in a free democracy. Despite the polling breakthrough, Hanson downplayed immediate recruitment drives for Coalition MPs, insisting she was not actively "picking up the phone."
Cautiously optimistic, Hanson noted that while possibilities in Queensland had been discussed, "these are only polls." She concluded by acknowledging the significant task ahead: "We're being put at 22 per cent of the national vote... that means I've got a huge job ahead of me with my colleagues to maintain that support and confidence."
