One Nation on the Rise: Will Pauline Hanson’s Party Upset the Applecart in SA Election?
- One Nation predicted to win a sizeable share of the primary vote in the SA election, with leader Barnaby Joyce claiming the party could come first in many seats.
- The party’s performance in recent polling has been a prominent theme of the campaign, with some predicting it could be a litmus test for One Nation’s broader appeal across the country.
- Lead SA candidate Cory Bernardi says political success is measured in seats in parliament, and a lot will depend on preferencing from Labor and the Liberals.
The South Australian election is just around the corner, and One Nation is making waves with its predicted strong performance in the polls. Federal MP Barnaby Joyce is confident the party will win a significant share of the primary vote, claiming it could come first in many seats.
But will this translate to actual seats in parliament?
One Nation’s lead SA candidate Cory Bernardi is cautious, saying political success is measured in seats, not just primary votes. He’s right to be cautious – preferencing from Labor and the Liberals will play a crucial role in determining the party’s performance.
Bernardi has consistently referred to the two major parties as the “uni party”, and has warned that if they direct their people to preference against One Nation, it could work against them.
Despite the uncertainty, Bernardi is optimistic about the party’s chances. He’s been touring the state with party leader Pauline Hanson, meeting with voters and drumming up support.
And it seems to be working – One Nation supporters are flocking to the party, drawn by its stance on issues like immigration and housing.
But One Nation’s campaign hasn’t been without controversy. Bernardi has faced criticism for comments he made almost 14 years ago linking gay marriage to the social acceptance of bestiality.
He’s since stood by those comments, but has acknowledged that it would have been better if he’d avoided being drawn on them.
Meanwhile, Premier Peter Malinauskas has been critical of One Nation’s approach, saying the party lacks policies on key issues like health and housing. And Liberal leader Ashton Hurn has acknowledged One Nation’s strong polling, but remains focused on her own party’s campaign.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
One Nation’s predicted strong performance in the SA election has significant implications for Australian politics.
If the party does win a sizeable share of the primary vote, it could be a sign that voters are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the major parties.
This could lead to a shift in the political landscape, with One Nation emerging as a major force in Australian politics.
Security analysts say that One Nation’s stance on issues like immigration and national security could resonate with voters who feel abandoned by the major parties. And law enforcement insiders warn that if One Nation does win seats in parliament, it could lead to a more fragmented and volatile political landscape.
Industry observers believe that One Nation’s performance in the SA election could also have economic implications.
If the party wins a significant share of the primary vote, it could lead to increased scrutiny of the government’s economic policies, potentially leading to changes in the way the country is governed.
Ultimately, the SA election will be a crucial test for One Nation and its leader Pauline Hanson. If the party performs well, it could be a sign that Hanson’s brand of populist politics is resonating with voters.
But if it fails to win seats, it could be a major setback for the party and its leader.
