Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has achieved a historic political milestone, overtaking Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party on primary vote support for the first time in Newspoll history. The latest survey has sparked fresh debate about the changing political landscape in Australia and growing voter dissatisfaction with the nation’s major parties.
According to the new Newspoll conducted for The Australian, One Nation secured 31 per cent of the primary vote, edging ahead of Labor on 30 per cent and leaving the Coalition trailing on 18 per cent. The result marks a significant breakthrough for Senator Pauline Hanson and highlights a dramatic shift in voter sentiment across the country.
Despite the strong primary vote performance, Labor remains in front when preferences are distributed under Australia’s two-party-preferred voting system. This means the Albanese government would still be better positioned to form government if an election were held today.
The polling figures nevertheless underline a growing trend in Australian politics: voters are increasingly looking beyond the traditional major parties. Rising concerns over the cost of living, housing affordability, energy prices, and government spending have contributed to a surge in support for alternative political movements.
One Nation’s rise comes after years of positioning itself as a voice for Australians frustrated with mainstream politics. The party has consistently campaigned on issues such as immigration, national sovereignty, regional development, and cost-of-living pressures, themes that appear to be resonating with a larger segment of voters.
Labor’s position is particularly notable given its strong performance at the last federal election, where it secured a historic 94 seats in the House of Representatives with a primary vote of just 34.6 per cent. The latest poll suggests that maintaining that level of support could prove challenging as economic pressures continue to impact households nationwide.
Speaking on Sunday, Senator Hanson highlighted the possibility of leading the country from the Senate if One Nation were to win enough lower house seats. She pointed to the example of former Prime Minister John Gorton, who briefly served as prime minister while sitting in the Senate before moving to the House of Representatives.
While elections are won through seat counts rather than primary votes alone, the latest Newspoll result represents a landmark moment for One Nation. As Australia’s political landscape continues to evolve, the coming months will reveal whether this surge in support is a temporary protest vote or the beginning of a broader realignment in Australian politics.
