One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has celebrated what she called a “milestone” in new polling results showing her party leading the primary vote for the first time.
One Nation led the primary vote on The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age Resolve poll at 29 per cent, ahead of Labor on 28 per cent and the Coalition on 20 per cent.
The result follows a period of strong fundraising for the party, with Hanson raising more than $4 million in recent days through an anti-Labor campaign.
Speaking to reporters in Sydney on Friday, Hanson said the result reflected growing public support for her party.
“It is a milestone. I’m so appreciative of the support from the Australian public, but let’s keep our feet on the ground,” she said.
“The prime minister has had a wake-up call, especially with the ‘Fire the Liar’ fund that we’ve put out.”
Hanson also said she intended to field a candidate in every federal seat at the next election, as she pointed to continued growth in support.
“Since the last election, our support has only grown, and the more that people see of our policies, they understand what we stand for,” she said.
She also said: “Labor are scared.”
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor downplayed One Nation’s surge in support, saying his focus remained on voters rather than political positioning.
“Others will talk about politics and ‘Inside-the-Beltway’ stuff. My focus is on the outcomes for Australians,” he told reporters.
“I’m going to be fighting every day all the way to the next election for those people because they are the backbone of this nation.”
Taylor became Opposition Leader in February after replacing Sussan Ley following the Coalition’s defeat at the previous election. However, recent polling has shown continued voter movement away from the Coalition.
Hanson said the Coalition was failing to understand voter concerns.
“Contemplative politics has been buried. We’ve listened too much to the ideology, the woke agenda, everything that’s happening. People want change,” she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not directly responded to the polling result, but has previously questioned claims about One Nation’s fundraising efforts.
He has also criticised opposition parties over suggestions they could work with One Nation to defeat Labor at the next election.
“We’ll continue to campaign against the three right-wing parties,” he said earlier this week.
While both the Coalition and One Nation have left open the possibility of working together at the next election, neither has outlined any formal agreement.
Image: 9News
