Vikki Campion Emerges as Potential One Nation Candidate in Party's Recruitment Push
Vikki Campion, the media commentator wife of former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, is being whispered about in political circles as a potential candidate for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. This speculation comes as the minor party rolls out a string of high-profile recruits ahead of the next election, seeking to capitalise on growing discontent with mainstream politics.
Political Insiders Discuss Campion's Potential Candidacy
Political insiders have revealed that while Campion has not confirmed whether she will put her hand up to run for a seat, her name is being actively discussed within One Nation circles. 'Vikki's views resonate with disaffected Nationals, who One Nation is trying to win over,' a source familiar with the discussions told the Daily Mail. Campion's regular News Corp column frequently focuses on criticising renewable energy policies and the Chinese Communist Party, aligning with One Nation's established political positions.
Campion declined to provide a detailed response when contacted for comment about her political future, simply stating that the 'premise' of questions about her potential candidacy was 'incorrect'. However, her established profile as a forceful voice for populist, anti-elite and culturally conservative politics makes her a natural fit for One Nation's messaging strategy.
Nationals MP Llew O'Brien Also Considering Defection
The speculation about Campion comes alongside growing uncertainty about the future of Nationals MP Llew O'Brien, who represents the Queensland seat of Wide Bay. O'Brien provocatively sat next to Campion's husband Barnaby Joyce during Question Time on Wednesday, with the pair sharing a warm conversation that fuelled speculation about his political allegiances.
O'Brien told The Australian newspaper he may quit the Nationals if the Coalition reunites without a firm plan to repeal controversial hate speech laws introduced after the Bondi Beach terror attack. 'I could only see myself being part of a team that has a plan to repeal that bill,' O'Brien stated clearly, putting pressure on his party leadership.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud dismissed suggestions that O'Brien was preparing to quit the party, saying he had spoken to the MP that morning and was 'comfortable' he would be staying with the Nationals. 'The reality is he's made it very clear to me he's not leaving,' Littleproud told media on Thursday. 'He doesn't see One Nation as a party that can deliver for the people of Wide Bay in the way the National Party has.'
However, Daily Mail understands other Nationals MPs view O'Brien's departure as increasingly inevitable, particularly given Wide Bay's status as a top One Nation target at the next election. The party secured 12 per cent of the primary vote in the seat in 2025 before surging in recent polls.
One Nation's Growing Momentum and Recruitment Drive
One Nation's recruitment drive comes amid significant momentum for the party, with a Roy Morgan poll released Tuesday putting their national support at 25 per cent - ahead of the combined Nationals and Liberals on 20.5 per cent. This polling success appears to be driving their ambitious candidate recruitment strategy.
On Tuesday, the party unveiled former Liberal senator Cory Bernardi as its lead upper house candidate for South Australia's state election on March 21. Meanwhile, former Northern Territory chief minister Adam Giles, who now heads Gina Rinehart's agriculture interests, is also being discussed as a possible One Nation candidate and has openly backed the party.
Giles, Australia's first Indigenous government leader, urged voters to donate to One Nation and 'put their active support behind Pauline Hanson'. He praised the party, saying Hanson and One Nation were the only ones 'showing the leadership' needed on immigration and net zero policies to 'save our country'.
'Australians have been suffering, and will suffer even more, under left-leaning net zero policies,' Giles stated, echoing themes frequently addressed in Campion's columns.
Campion's Background and Political Evolution
Campion first met Joyce in 2016 when she joined his office as a media adviser. Their working relationship soon became personal, culminating in a national scandal in 2018 after photos of a pregnant Campion emerged while Joyce, then deputy prime minister, was still married. The controversy ultimately led to Joyce's resignation as deputy PM in February that year.
The couple went on to welcome two sons, Sebastian in 2018 and Thomas in 2019, before marrying in a relaxed 'bush bash' ceremony on Joyce's family farm in Woolbrook, NSW in November 2023. Throughout this period, Campion has established herself as a prominent News Corp columnist with a distinctive political voice.
Within One Nation circles, there is a view that Campion's involvement - and her characteristically forceful tone - would significantly strengthen the party's overall messaging capability. Her regular columns slamming green energy projects and social 'elites' align perfectly with the party's core themes and target audience.
As One Nation continues its recruitment of high-profile figures from across the political spectrum, the potential addition of Campion to their candidate roster represents a significant development in Australian politics, potentially drawing further disaffected conservative voters away from traditional parties.
