One Nation must deliver on Australia’s problems to win
Pauline Hanson is being warned that the party must solve Australia’s economic woes if it maintains growing support and turns anger at the two major parties into electoral success.
Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra for the first time in his 30-year political career, the One Nation leader urged immigrants to assimilate into Australia’s “monoculture” and vowed to reduce immigration from countries “embedded in extremism such as radical Islam”.
He also said the increase in the number of households facing financial difficulties was “appalling” given the country’s wealth.
Paul Smith, director of public data at YouGov, said the rise of the ultra-conservative party was a reflection of working people feeling they were going backwards economically in a rich country.
“Our polls show that the number one reason for supporting One Nation is not the leader but the feeling of not being represented by the two major parties,” he told AAP.
“For One Nation to win and keep the votes it has, they need to solve the economic problems working people face in terms of wages, housing, and being on their side of the economy in general.”
Mr Smith said there was a point in the lead-up to the election where the election stopped being a referendum on the government and became a choice, and that’s when voters started looking at the details.
A series of opinion polls have shown One Nation remains Australians’ first choice of political party, while support for the coalition has fallen to record lows.
Senator Hanson is the preferred prime minister.
During his wide-ranging speech, he promised to increase AI regulations, abolish SBS and cut taxpayer funding to the ABC.
Senator Hanson said the One Nation government would integrate nuclear energy into the national grid.
Wednesday afternoon’s speech was interrupted by the slow unfurling of a remote-controlled banner behind the stage that read, “I opposed workers’ pay raises.”
GetUp chief executive Paul Ferris claimed responsibility for the demonstration, which was referred to federal police.
The National Press Club said two men entered the venue without permission on Tuesday afternoon and placed a pop-up screen.
The club said none of its staff or contractors were involved in the incident.
“We have referred the relevant footage and other evidence to AFP for further investigation,” the statement said.
“Once the investigation has concluded the club will consider its legal options against the perpetrators, including recovering the costs of significant damage to the media wall/light box.
“The club sincerely apologizes to Senator Hanson for the incident.”
Demonstrators also protested against One Nation in front of the press club before Senator Hanson’s speech.
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