Rightwing populist party One Nation is projected to win a second seat in South Australia, according to ABC projections, signaling a notable shift in voter sentiment ahead of the state’s newly elected parliament.
The party is expected to capture the electorate of Hammond from the Liberals, marking One Nation’s first lower house win outside its Queensland stronghold.
Election Results and Voter Trends
As of Friday afternoon, One Nation was sitting on a 22.3% primary vote in South Australia, ahead of the Liberal Party at 19.4%.
- Labor Landslide: As widely predicted, the Labor Party won Saturday’s state election decisively.
- One Nation Surge: Polls leading up to the election indicated a significant rise in support for Pauline Hanson’s party, largely driven by dissatisfaction with the major parties.
According to an Advertiser/YouGov poll, most voters backing One Nation were doing so as a protest, with only one in ten citing alignment with the party’s policy positions.
Pauline Hanson Sends Message Amid Jubilant Supporters
Party leader Pauline Hanson addressed supporters following the election results, signaling that One Nation intends to make its presence felt in the South Australian parliament.
“I’m going to leave you some landmines,” Hanson told supporters, a pointed message directed at the state’s Liberal leadership and a warning to major parties to take the party’s growing influence seriously.
Expansion Beyond Queensland
One Nation’s success in South Australia reflects the party’s efforts to broaden its influence beyond its Queensland base.
- Lower House Breakthrough: Winning Hammond will be the party’s first lower house seat outside Queensland.
- Upper House Leadership: Former federal Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who joined One Nation in February, is set to lead the party in the state’s Legislative Council, joined by two other One Nation MLCs.
This expansion positions the party as a growing rightwing populist force in multiple states, building on anti-immigration and protest-driven voter sentiment.
Voter Motivations: Protest Votes Dominate
Analysis of voter behavior indicates that One Nation’s success stems largely from public frustration with the traditional major parties.
- Protest votes accounted for the majority of support.
- Policy alignment played a minor role, with only 10% of voters citing the party’s policies as the primary reason for their vote.
This trend mirrors the broader rise of populist movements globally, where voters increasingly turn to smaller, outspoken parties to express dissatisfaction with established political institutions.
Implications for South Australian Politics
One Nation’s gains could have several impacts on the state’s political landscape:
- Pressure on Liberals: Losing Hammond signals vulnerabilities in traditional Liberal strongholds and may force the party to rethink its strategy.
- Parliamentary Influence: With representation in both the lower and upper houses, One Nation may wield influence on debates, particularly on issues related to immigration and regional policies.
- Future Elections: The result could inspire similar campaigns and voter strategies in other Australian states.
Cory Bernardi Joins One Nation in SA Upper House
Former federal Liberal senator Cory Bernardi is now leading One Nation in South Australia’s Legislative Council. Bernardi’s move to the party in February bolsters its political experience and credibility in the upper house, complementing its growing lower house presence.
Two additional One Nation MLCs are set to join Bernardi, providing the party with a foothold to influence legislation and challenge policies from both Labor and the Liberals.
What This Means for Australian Politics
One Nation’s growth in South Australia reflects larger national trends:
- Populist Momentum: Parties focused on anti-immigration and regional issues are gaining traction among protest voters.
- Challenge to Major Parties: Both Labor and Liberals are facing increasing pressure from smaller, issue-focused parties.
- Potential Policy Shifts: As populist parties gain representation, major parties may adjust policies on immigration, energy, and regional development to retain voter support.
Political analysts note that the rise of protest-driven voting indicates that Australian voters are increasingly willing to use elections to send a message, rather than purely support policy platforms.
Final Thoughts
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has expanded its influence in South Australia, winning Hammond in the lower house and strengthening its position in the upper house with Cory Bernardi’s leadership.
While Labor achieved a landslide victory in the state election, One Nation’s gains reflect a growing populist and protest vote movement in Australian politics. As the party continues to challenge the major parties, South Australian politics could see increasing polarization and debate around key issues such as immigration, regional development, and economic policy.
