Pauline Hanson’s Right-Hand Man Turns Against Her: ‘One Nation Will Fail Without Change’
- David Oldfield, Pauline Hanson’s former mastermind and alleged ex-lover, has launched a scathing attack on the One Nation party, warning it will fail at the next election unless it changes tack.
- Oldfield, who claims he was the “brain” behind One Nation, says the party lacks a clear strategy and is “actively and aggressively discouraging support from traditional Labor voters.”
- As Labor’s outgoing president Wayne Swan warns that One Nation poses a huge threat to the party at the next election, Oldfield’s comments have sparked a fresh wave of infighting within the party.
- The feud between Oldfield and Hanson has a long history, with Hanson claiming the two had a brief romantic relationship in 1996, which Oldfield has consistently denied.
The rift between Pauline Hanson and her former right-hand man David Oldfield has deepened, with Oldfield warning that One Nation will fail at the next election unless it changes its approach.
In a stunning attack, Oldfield claimed he was the “brain” behind the party, saying it has lost its way and is no longer appealing to its core supporters.
Oldfield’s comments come as Labor’s outgoing president Wayne Swan warned that One Nation poses a huge threat to the party at the next election.
Swan will use his speech at the ALP conference to sound the alarm about the rise of One Nation, saying it has become Labor’s biggest electoral threat.
“We fought Howard, we fought Abbott, and now we watch the conservative mantle pass to One Nation, and a new battle awaits us,” Swan will say.
But Oldfield’s criticism of One Nation goes beyond just its electoral prospects. He claims the party has lost sight of its core values and is no longer the nationalist movement it once was.
“One Nation was introduced using Pauline’s name to capture brand awareness, provide high-visibility recognition and associate with what was perceived to be what Pauline stood for – the emphasis being on perceived,” he wrote in an opinion piece for The Australian.
“In reality, One Nation’s guiding principle was its nationalism and unifying intent. Pauline was its facade.”
Oldfield’s comments have sparked a fresh wave of infighting within the party, with Hanson hitting back at her former ally. “I can’t stand him.
I don’t like him at all.
When someone is quite happy to see you go to prison for something you did not do, I think that clearly depicts the type of person that he is,” she said.
The feud between Oldfield and Hanson has a long history, with Hanson claiming the two had a brief romantic relationship in 1996. Oldfield has consistently denied the claims, saying he was never attracted to Hanson and that their relationship was purely professional.
However, he did fail a lie detector test on Channel 7 when questioned about the allegations.
Despite the infighting, Swan’s warning about One Nation’s electoral threat is a clear indication that the party is a force to be reckoned with. One Nation has been accused of receiving large donations from wealthy supporters, including a $2 million aeroplane from the richest person in Australia.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The rise of One Nation poses a significant threat to Australia’s political landscape. With its nationalist and anti-immigration agenda, the party has tapped into a deep sense of discontent among many Australians.
However, its lack of clear policies and reliance on populist rhetoric has also raised concerns about its ability to govern effectively.
Law enforcement insiders warn that One Nation’s anti-immigration stance has the potential to fuel division and extremism in Australia.
“The party’s rhetoric is often inflammatory and divisive, and it has the potential to create a toxic environment that can lead to violence and extremism,” one insider said.
Security analysts say that One Nation’s rise also poses a challenge to Australia’s national security.
“The party’s anti-immigration agenda has the potential to create tensions with Australia’s regional neighbors and undermine the country’s reputation as a tolerant and inclusive society,” one analyst said.
As the election approaches, it remains to be seen whether One Nation will be able to capitalize on its current momentum. However, one thing is clear: the party’s rise has the potential to reshape the Australian political landscape in profound ways.
PM Anthony Albanese has announced a range of measures to support university students, including an expansion of financial support for Australians doing unpaid practical placements. The move is seen as an attempt to counter One Nation’s appeal to disaffected voters and to shore up Labor’s support among young people.
