Pauline Hanson’s Shocking Power Play: One Nation Leader Eyes Lower House Seat as Party Surges in the Polls
- One Nation’s popularity soars, with the party winning seven spots in the South Australian state parliament and consistent polling showing federal support surpassing the coalition.
- Pauline Hanson confirms she’s considering running for a seat in the House of Representatives when her six-year term in the upper house wraps up in 2028.
- Experts warn that Hanson’s potential move could shake up the federal parliament, with One Nation already holding one lower house seat and tipped to claim another at the upcoming by-election.
- Hanson’s decision could have significant implications for the country’s conservative landscape, with some speculating that she could become a key player in forming the next government.
Pauline Hanson, the firebrand Senator from Queensland, is riding high on the back of One Nation’s recent successes, and she’s not afraid to make her next move.
In a bold power play, Hanson has confirmed that she’s considering running for a seat in the House of Representatives when her six-year term in the upper house wraps up in 2028.
The news comes as One Nation continues to build momentum among voters, with the party winning seven spots in the South Australian state parliament and consistent polling showing federal support surpassing that of the coalition.
Hanson’s potential move could have significant implications for the country’s conservative landscape, with some speculating that she could become a key player in forming the next government.
One Nation currently has one lower house seat, held by Barnaby Joyce, who defected from the Nationals.
However, Hanson’s decision to run could change the dynamics of the federal parliament, with some experts warning that she could become a thorn in the side of the major parties.
But what’s driving Hanson’s decision to make the move? According to James Ashby, One Nation’s chief of staff, Hanson is considering running for the federal seat she lives in.
“If Barnaby chooses to stay in the lower house, you’ll have two very, very convincing, strong leaders that can lead a conservative Australia,” Ashby told Sky News.
Hanson’s first tilt in federal politics was in the lower house, where she won the Queensland seat of Oxley in 1996 as an independent. She later ran for the seat of Blair at the 1998 poll under the newly formed One Nation banner, but did not get re-elected.
This time around, Hanson’s options are the electorates of Wright, held by the coalition’s Scott Buchholz by an almost eight per cent margin, or the Labor-held seat of Blair, where Shayne Neumann has a 5.7 per cent margin.
As Hanson weighs up her options, One Nation is tipped as a front-runner to claim the federal seat of Farrer at Saturday’s by-election.
David Farley is running as One Nation’s candidate, and should he win, will become the party’s first representative to win a federal lower house seat at an election.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
Hanson’s potential move to the lower house could have significant implications for national security, with One Nation’s hardline stance on immigration and border control likely to be a major point of contention.
“Security analysts say that Hanson’s presence in the lower house could lead to a more fragmented parliament, making it harder for the government to pass legislation,” said one expert.
Law enforcement insiders also warn that One Nation’s surge in popularity could lead to a shift in the country’s law and order landscape.
“Hanson’s tough-on-crime rhetoric could lead to a more punitive approach to justice, which could have significant consequences for communities and public safety,” said another expert.
Industry observers believe that Hanson’s decision could also have economic consequences, with One Nation’s protectionist policies potentially affecting trade and investment.
“Hanson’s presence in the lower house could lead to a more isolationist approach to trade, which could have significant implications for Australian businesses,” said an industry insider.
As Hanson prepares to make her next move, one thing is certain: the Australian political landscape is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
