One Nation’s Rural Revival: How Pauline Hanson’s Party is Poised to Shake Up Australia’s Bush Seats
- One Nation is rolling out a well-funded, grassroots campaign across regional and rural communities, resonating with voters on issues like migration, housing, and energy policy.
- Pauline Hanson’s party has gained significant traction in Central Queensland, where it has a long history of support, and is now setting its sights on other regional areas.
- With the backing of billionaire Gina Rinehart and a strong showing in the 2025 federal election, One Nation is poised to pick up more than a third of Australia’s bush seats in 2028.
- But experts warn that the party’s anti-migration policies may not be enough to shift votes, and that voters will soon be looking for solutions to their grievances.
As you drive through the rural landscapes of Central Queensland, it’s hard to miss the giant billboards bearing Pauline Hanson’s image and the slogan “$13 million Cooee Bay Pool delivered.” The sign is a testament to One Nation’s growing influence in the region, where the party has been quietly building a grassroots campaign that’s resonating with voters on issues like migration, housing, and energy policy.
For Cheryl Dolan, a homelessness advocate from Central Queensland, One Nation’s messaging around migration is a major drawcard. “We don’t have the houses to fit the population now at the minute,” she says.
“So let’s slow down the population until we can get the housing crisis in order.” Dolan previously voted Labor, but switched to One Nation at the last election, citing a loss of faith in the major parties.
According to Rob Manwaring, an associate professor in business, law and government at Flinders University, One Nation’s success in regional areas can be attributed to its ability to tap into voter sentiment on economic issues.
“Voters who think that the economic climate is more pessimistic, and are more downbeat, are far more likely to vote for a minor party, including One Nation,” he says.
One Nation’s campaign in Central Queensland is being driven by Pauline Hanson’s chief of staff, James Ashby, who has lived in the region for over a decade.
The party has also confirmed plans to open a new office in the electorate, further solidifying its presence in the area.
But One Nation’s influence extends far beyond Central Queensland.
In the coal mining heartland of Singleton, New South Wales, the party’s candidate Stuart Bonds is a vocal proponent of expanding coal and gas mining, and scrapping net zero targets.
“What is going to stop and kill this industry is the government,” he says. “Government regulation and red tape and this ideological belief that we can change the weather here in Australia by digging out a bit less coal.”
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
One Nation’s growing influence in regional areas has significant implications for Australia’s national security, law enforcement, and community safety.
As the party continues to gain traction, it’s likely to put pressure on the major parties to address the economic and social concerns of rural voters.
However, experts warn that One Nation’s anti-migration policies may not be enough to shift votes, and that voters will soon be looking for solutions to their grievances.
Security analysts say that One Nation’s rise could also have implications for Australia’s multicultural fabric, with some warning that the party’s messaging around multiculturalism could be harmful.
“Multiculturalism is what makes Australia a beautiful country of all the different nationalities and Indigenous people and all those who come to live on our country,” says Darumbal elder Aunty Sally Vea Vea.
Despite these concerns, One Nation’s financial backing from billionaire Gina Rinehart has given the party significant resources to professionalise and set up local offices. The party has also received over $6 million in taxpayer funds following its performance in the 2025 federal election.
As the next federal election approaches, voters will be watching closely to see if One Nation can deliver on its promises. According to politics expert Jim Jose, “Eventually people have to start thinking about and will start thinking about, ‘Well, how do we solve this?
Does One Nation have the answers that we’re seeking?'”
Only time will tell if One Nation’s rural revival will be enough to shake up Australia’s bush seats.
But one thing is certain – the party’s influence is here to stay, and it will be a force to be reckoned with in the lead-up to the next federal election.
