One Nation’s Secret Harbour byelection win shows Labor is at a loss when it comes to calming angry voters | Analysis
Even after a week in which Pauline Hanson and One Nation candidates tripped over themselves trying to explain key policies, voters still backed the party The One Nation hype machine went into overdrive after Saturday’s Secret Harbour byelection but one thing is clear from the thumping victory. Despite the party’s sustained surge in public support, Labor and the Coalition still don’t have any idea…
In a recent Secret Harbour byelection in Western Australia, One Nation's Luke Herdegen emerged victorious over Labor's Georgia Tree. This result, according to One Nation's WA leader, Rod Caddies, indicates that there are no safe Labor seats in the country. One Nation strategist James Ashby also admitted that a clean-up job was required following a week of flubbed explanations on immigration policy.
The Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, whose electorate includes Secret Harbour, had previously criticized One Nation's policies, particularly regarding Ben Roberts-Smith, a war criminal. Despite the Liberal campaign's perceived lackluster performance, Hanson and her supporters maintain a strong dislike for Hastie. Opposition to One Nation, driven by the belief that any defeat for Labor is a victory for the Liberals, has left the party wanting.
To effectively counter Hanson's divisive politics, opposition leader Angus Taylor should take a strong, values-led approach, including linking her to figures like US President Donald Trump.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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