Hanson takes poll hit, coalition down to rock bottom
A series of polls have confirmed Pauline Hanson and One Nation’s post-Press Club headache, showing a decline in her popularity since her high-profile speech.
He has even more bad news for the coalition; The highly respected Newspoll dropped opposition support to 17 percent, the lowest in history.
Labor narrowly retook the lead in the Newspoll and Redbridge polls released on Sunday night.
The survey, published in Australia, has Labor on 33 per cent (up three), One Nation on 29 (down two) and the Greens on 14 (up two).
In the Redbridge poll, Labor had 30 per cent support (up two), One Nation’s 29 (down two), the Coalition just 18 (down two) and the Greens 14 (up two).
The figures are sweet medicine for Anthony Albanese and his party, who are struggling for credibility post-budget after failing to deliver on tax promises.
Senator Hanson’s net approval also fell 10 points from neutral to -10 in the Redbridge poll in the Australian Financial Review.
The polls are the first major polls since Senator Hanson’s sweeping speech at the National Press Club that set the national discourse for days.
On that trip he condemned paid parental leave and suggested that Australia should reject what he called its failed policy of multiculturalism and instead become a “monoculture”.
He later claimed that the Socceroos, whose squad includes immigrants and former refugees, were a monoculture because they represented Australia.
On Sunday, Paul Hogan, whom Senator Hanson himself referred to as “the central feature of the Australian monoculture”, had his say on his views.
“He’s a pelican,” the beloved US-based actor told AFR.
“Ugly, very racist. This idiot here looks a lot like Trump.”
In the two weeks since his appearance at the press club, opposition leader Angus Taylor has struggled to articulate his party’s stance on multiculturalism as well as its hard-line immigration policy.
The coalition is in a difficult position in the polls, well below the 32 percent support it received in the 2025 elections.
Some frustrated Liberals complained that Mr Taylor’s gaffe had overshadowed the coalition’s attack on Labour’s budget, although there was no suggestion that a leadership fight was imminent.
The coalition will use the last week of session before the winter break to step up criticism of the government’s changes to capital gains tax and adverse practices.
This will include the so-called “widow tax” affecting jointly owned investment properties; Under Labor’s changes, it could cause a widowed or divorced owner to lose their privileges.
The opposition will also seek to censure the treasurer and finance minister, accusing them of not being forthcoming about the changes.
Debate over a children’s social media ban and gambling reform is also certain to come, given Labor is expected to introduce legislation for both this week.
To improve compliance with the social media age limit, the country’s online watchdog will be given stronger enforcement powers, while the maximum fine for platforms that fail to comply will be doubled to $99 million.
On gambling, the federal government’s long-awaited restrictions on betting adverts are set to be introduced, but this is not expected to pass before MPs turn to their constituents.
