Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson has firmly ruled out any possibility of forming a coalition government with One Nation, backtracking on comments he made just a day earlier that suggested he might be open to such an arrangement.
Wilson's Reversal
Speaking on Monday, Wilson stated he would “never, ever, ever” support a coalition with Pauline Hanson’s party. This comes after he raised the possibility on Sunday during an appearance on the ABC’s Insiders program, where he said it was “up to the Australian people to decide” and that the Liberals traditionally form coalitions with the Nationals but could consider other arrangements.
“I have never, ever, ever, and never, ever, ever will make such a statement in favour of such an alignment,” Wilson told reporters. “The leader of that party has already declared that she won’t form a coalition with us, and I have no interest in forming a coalition with them.”
Party Unity Against One Nation
Wilson’s comments align with other senior Liberal figures who have rejected any partnership with One Nation. Shadow foreign affairs minister Ted O’Brien dismissed the idea, saying, “We have no plans for going into a coalition with One Nation.”
Barnaby Joyce, a former Nationals MP who recently switched to One Nation, said his party would offer confidence and supply to the Coalition if needed but would not seek a formal alliance. “We don’t want your ministries, keep your ministries and your salaries,” Joyce told Channel Nine, adding that his colleagues would not want to be “constricted by cabinet solidarity.”
Political Context
The debate over a potential coalition follows One Nation’s decisive victory in the Farrer byelection, where the party won a seat held by the Coalition for 77 years, reducing the Liberals’ primary vote to just 12%. This has intensified concerns within the Liberal Party about threats from both the right and left, as the conservative vote in Australia continues to fragment.
Wilson acknowledged that many voters are seeking change and are disillusioned with the political status quo. “People are sending a message very clearly to the government,” he said. “There’s a lot of work to do, and no one’s pretending otherwise. That’s why we’re going to put forward a bold, confident vision for the future of the country, backed up with policy to back self-starters, small businesses, families, and communities.”
Labor's Response
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been cautious in his criticism of One Nation voters, focusing instead on Hanson’s track record. “Quite clearly, there’s a lot of people under financial pressure who feel like the system isn’t working for them,” Albanese said. “That’s a message for all political parties. One Nation is not a party of government; it’s led by someone who promotes grievance rather than solutions.”
The Liberal Party now faces the challenge of defining its identity and countering the appeal of One Nation while also fending off the teal independents on its left flank. Wilson urged his party to “get on with” outlining its vision and policies to win back disaffected voters.
