One Nation surges in support in Australia

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One Nation surges in support in Australia

As the Liberal-National Party collapses, the populist right-wing One Nation led by Pauline Hanson has surged in polls

Australia’s long-standing Liberal–National Coalition is facing its most serious crisis in decades, with electoral losses, internal divisions and leadership instability eroding its hold on the centre-right. Voters frustrated with mainstream conservatism have increasingly turned away from the Coalition, weakening its role as a unified opposition and exposing deep fractures over climate policy, social issues and the party’s direction after repeated defeats.

Filling that vacuum, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has seen a renewed surge in support, positioning itself as a populist, nationalist alternative to the traditional right. Campaigning on immigration, cost-of-living pressures and distrust of political elites, Hanson has capitalised on disillusionment with established parties. Once a fringe force, One Nation is now exerting real pressure on Australia’s political system, reshaping debates and drawing working-class and regional voters who previously backed the Coalition.

The shift closely mirrors developments in Britain, where Reform UK has risen amid the decline of the Conservative Party. Like One Nation, Reform has built momentum through anti-establishment rhetoric, hardline stances on immigration and cultural issues, and appeals to voters who feel ignored by mainstream politics. In both countries, the fragmentation of the traditional centre-right has opened the door to populist challengers, signalling a broader realignment of conservative politics across liberal democracies.

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What has largely happened in Britain (and is still happening as a process) is now happening in Australia.

It's remarkable because in terms of the dominance of the two main parties, Australia's Liberal-Nationals and the Labor Party have had more of a vice-like grip on the political system than even the Conservatives and Labour have in Britain. Indeed, many have said before how Australian politics was rather dull in this regard. So these polling numbers are absolutely astounding - as is the rapid rise of One Nation.

I have always liked Pauline Hanson.