Nationals MP Colin Boyce considers One Nation move after Farrer by-election shock
The shock result of the Farrer byelection has shaken conservative ranks in regional NSW and fueled wider questions about party stability and voter cohesion.
The impact of the result, which gave One Nation a historic win via David Farley, quickly spread beyond the electorate; Queensland MP Colin Boyce has kept open the possibility of leaving the Nationals.
Mr Boyce told The Guardian the result could not be ignored and pointed out One Nation’s strong performance was a sign that voter sentiment in conservative centrist seats was changing.
“The reality of what happened last night needs to be put into perspective: in the Farrer by-election nearly 40 per cent of the primary vote was in favor of One Nation, so the real question is: what does that look like in central Queensland?” Mr. Boyce said.
“If you’re Pauline Hanson, I’d argue it’s a lot easier to campaign in Rockhampton than it is in Albury.”
When asked about the potential to move directly to One Nation, Mr Boyce kept the door open, saying he was considering “a lot of things”.
“At this point in time I am a member of the National Party, this Sunday morning, whatever the date today.”
But in considering the broader implications for conservative policies, he went further and described the outcome as a turning point.
“I think everyone needs to think about their own political future, especially those who organize the hierarchy. If this isn’t a wake-up call for conservative politics, what is?” he said.
“I’m just facing the reality of what I’ve been trying to point out for so long.”
Mr Boyce also noted historical voting patterns in Central Queensland, arguing that support for One Nation had long been underestimated.
“The point is that Central Queensland is quite happy to vote for One Nation,” he said.
The remarks follow One Nation’s breakthrough victory in Farrer, which ended decades of Coalition control and gave the party its first lower house seat since 1997.
Party leader Pauline Hanson used the result to attack the major parties in an interview with Sky News, saying voters were moving away from what she called political arrogance.
“This is complete arrogance, as if we have no right to be on the political stage. What’s going on? Isn’t this a democracy? Aren’t you putting forward your policies and what you want to do for the people?” Ms. Hanson said.
“Or are we a third world country, we have no right to go out there and express what we want to do for the country? That’s why they (mainstream parties) will lose.”
Mr Boyce made his comments in Albury alongside One Nation figures including Barnaby Joyce, who rejected suggestions he would encourage any party change.
“It’s like getting a divorce; it’s completely and utterly your choice,” Mr. Joyce said.
“The vast majority of our members were in previous political parties, the vast majority of people who voted for us voted for someone else in the last election, the idea that people are committed to a single point of view, I don’t know, people should really think a bit of Maynard Keynes,” Mr Joyce said.
The by-election was triggered following the departure of Sussan Ley and Farrer was retained by the Coalition for 76 years before the result.
Angus Taylor conceded defeat while Jim Chalmers described it as a political disaster.
“Angus Taylor had great success in the league and lost very badly,” Mr Chalmers said.
“It would surprise me if time had not moved according to his leadership.”
“This showed that the Coalition could not defeat the One Nation, so they had to join them.”
