The Rapid Resurgence of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

Editorial assistant Maryam Bokhari explores the revival of conservative party One Nation in the Australian political arena and the possible reasons behind this seemingly newfound popularity.

One Nation is rapidly rising in popularity across Australia. According to a recent survey included in the Australian Financial Review, One Nation has surged to 31% of the primary vote, ahead of Labour, at 28% [1]. On 9 May 2026, One Nation’s David Farley claimed a historic win in the NSW by-election, with over 57% of the preferred vote, beating Independent Michelle Milthrope [2]. This is One Nation’s first federal lower-house election victory since the birth of the party in 1997, and, as of date, they hold two seats in the House of Representatives. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson claimed this win as motivation for “coming after those other seats” [2].

Hanson’s name in Australian politics is not unfamiliar. In 1996, Hanson began her career with her anti-immigration and conservative values, proposing inflammatory rhetoric against Asian Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples [3]. In 2003, Hanson was convicted and briefly imprisoned for electoral fraud, which was later overturned on appeal [3]. She is also famously known for alleged racial vilification of a fellow senator and for wearing a burqa in the Senate–twice–in efforts to nationally ban the garment. Hanson also suggested that “there were no “good” Muslims, and, after widespread backlash, released a “partial apology” but did not retract her broader criticisms of Islam [4].

One Nation aims to “put Australians first” and, if in government, intends to fix the cost-of-living crisis. Besides immigration, Hanson has attributed this crisis to the Government’s energy and climate policy, proposing to alter the National Energy Market rules by abandoning net-zero emission targets in favour of the coal industry and nuclear energy. The party also aims to deport illegal immigrants and limit immigration overall [5]. Hanson claims that the “immigration crisis” is a consequence of multiculturalism, arguing for a multiracial but monocultural Australian society [6].

However, Hanson’s comment has been heavily criticised for ignoring the victims of this proposed assimilation. When minority groups, such as people of colour, are targeted or scapegoated by those in political positions of power, it normalises discrimination and encourages division amongst Australians. This establishes a sense of mistrust and unease amongst each other, which critics argue One Nation is exploiting during a time of economic crisis [7]. It is also the expectation that certain groups must comply with Hanson’s idea of Australian culture that arises as problematic. Hanson ignores Australia’s settler-colonial roots, neglecting this country’s longest-standing cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Evidently, throughout Australia’s history of migrant workers, the dismantling of the White Australia Policy and the establishment of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, Australia has always been a multicultural nation, as witnessed in today’s undeniably diverse modern climate.

One Nation has also repeatedly failed to target the demographic of young voters. According to the RedBridge survey, primary support from young Australians (18-29 years old) is at 10%. Comparatively, millennials between the ages of 30-45 were amongst their highest voters [1]. Political scientists have attributed this result to an “education divide” between young people—those tending to have educational qualifications are more likely to vote for major parties, predominantly the Greens [1]. However, it is not necessarily a lack of education that is the sole reason for the growth in support. Simon Welsh, RedBridge Group’s Research Director, states One Nation is an “expression of the frustration and the anger” for voters, typically comprising low-income households or those experiencing a decline in their economic circumstances [1]. Arguably, it is this frustration that Hanson is capitalising on in efforts to link Australia’s affordability crisis with One Nation’s anti-immigration beliefs. Pollster George Hasanakos also posits that One Nation’s votes are primarily a “shift amongst Coalition voters”, who used to vote for the Liberal and National Coalition and are no longer satisfied with their policies [7].

Notably, One Nation supporters include Australia’s top income earners, with those earning over $200,000 more likely to back One Nation than those earning less than $45,000 [7]. Hanson has also been under recent fire for her public appearances with billionaire Gina Rinehart, a strong supporter of One Nation [8].

It is also worth noting that the research methodology used in the RedBridge/Accent Research survey may be flawed or inaccurate. The results are not a stagnant indication of the future political outcomes of Australia’s 2028 Federal election. Overall, it remains to be seen whether Hanson will be able to sustain a professional and durable party with reliable candidates, structured policies and a compelling intergenerational campaign – concerns that One Nation has struggled with in the past.

by Maryam Bokhari

References:

[1] Z, Szumer (2026, June 1). Labor’s problem, One Nation’s gain: What’s driving the poll surge. SBS News. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/labors-problem-one-nations-gain-whats-driving-the-surge-in-support-among-younger-voters/qgbm4i4g1

[2] Harvey, J., & Z, Szumer. (2026, May 9). “Western Sydney here we come”: One Nation eyes more seats after by-election win. SBS News. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/one-nation-wins-farrer-by-election/5ukevc345

[3] Sekulich, H. (2026, March 25). Pauline Hanson’s One Nation: South Australian success an “ominous sign” for major parties. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2j4q60wlgo

[4] Truu, M. (2026, February 17). Hanson issues partial apology for suggestion there are no “good” Muslims. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-18/pauline-hanson-partially-apologises-for-muslim-remarks/106357130

[5] Policies. Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. https://www.onenation.org.au/issues

[6] McIlroy, T. (2026, June 17). Pauline Hanson says Australia ‘must be monocultural’ in National Press Club speech. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/17/pauline-hanson-national-press-club-address-speech-australia-ntwnfb

[7] Liddy, M., Burin, M., Spraggon, B., & Kyd, A. (2026, February 14). What we know (and don’t) about One Nation’s rapid rise in the polls. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-15/story-lab-one-nation-polling/106322978

[8] Perpitch, N., & Peterson, O. (2026, June 11). One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says she takes policy advice from “friend” Gina Rinehart. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-11/one-nation-pauline-hanson-gina-rinehart/106787540