{
  "id": 2683496,
  "title": "WA by-election puts One Nation's growing appeal to the test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/wa-by-election-puts-one-nations-growing-appeal-to-the-test",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T00:16:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-23/wa-by-election-puts-one-nation-growing-appeal-to-the-test/107061162"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The upcoming by-election in Secret Harbour, Western Australia, serves as a crucial test for the One Nation party and its growing appeal. During the campaign, One Nation's deputy leader Basil Zempilas dismissed the idea of the Liberals' leader Angus Taylor becoming prime minister, drawing a parallel between the struggling Liberals and the faltering West Coast Eagles, where Zempilas once coached. Despite opposition from the Liberals, who see One Nation as a threat, they are not actively opposing the party's potential victory in the seat. The poll is expected to challenge Labor's stronghold in the rapidly growing seat, where voters are seeking change and fresh perspectives. Premier Roger Cook acknowledged that One Nation would likely take votes from Labor, while the party's leader Andrew Hastie prepares for a \"dirty and nasty\" fight against the minor party.",
  "summary": "One Nation's popularity is skyrocketing in opinion polls across the east coast. But next Saturday's Secret Harbour by-election will be the first clear test of whether that momentum is extending across the Nullarbor.",
  "key_points": [
    "One Nation's deputy leader Basil Zempilas compared Liberals to faltering West Coast Eagles.",
    "Opposition Liberals not actively opposing One Nation's potential victory.",
    "Premier Roger Cook expects One Nation to take votes from Labor in the seat."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The by-election in Secret Harbour will test One Nation's growing appeal and may challenge Labor's stronghold in the seat, with Premier Cook acknowledging One Nation will likely take votes from Labor.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}