As the federal election approaches, Pauline Hanson and her One Nation party are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the May 3, 2025, vote. Major party insiders believe that One Nation's how-to-vote card preferences could significantly bolster the Coalition's chances in several outer suburban and regional seats. In an exclusive interview with 7NEWS, Hanson campaigned in Hobart alongside her daughter, Lee Hanson, who is running for a Senate seat in Tasmania.
During the campaign, Hanson made a bold statement, asserting that if Peter Dutton, the leader of the Liberal Party, becomes Prime Minister, she will demand that he withdraw Australia from the Paris Climate Agreement. "We need to look at new coal-fired power stations," Hanson declared. "We have to reduce the cost of electricity, and I’ll talk to him about getting out of the Paris Agreement." She emphasized her belief that much of the climate discourse has been driven by fear. "A lot of it has been fear mongering, yet our emissions are 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year whereas China’s are 12 billion tonnes a year. Yet we are buying back their products and destroying our industries," she argued.
In a contrasting move, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched a scare campaign on May 2, 2025, claiming that Dutton intends to exit the Paris Climate Agreement if elected. "The key to credibility is action on climate change," Albanese asserted during a press conference held north of Brisbane. He criticized the Coalition's policies, suggesting they would undermine efforts to reduce emissions. Albanese advocated for investment in green technologies, stating, "I think we should be involved in greens metals and support for critical minerals." However, Dutton swiftly refuted Albanese's claims, stating during a press conference in Perth, "We have been clear in relation to the policy on the matter. No, we have stated our policy in relation to that matter, there is no change."
Polling trends indicate that One Nation is gaining traction, with both the Freshwater Strategic poll and Newspoll showing the party recording a primary vote of 8 percent. This figure is expected to be even higher in regional areas, where Hanson is particularly focused on securing the seat of Hunter, currently held by Labor MP Dan Repacholi. The seat has a narrow margin of 4.8 percent, and Hanson is optimistic about her candidate, Stuart Bonds, who has a background in coal mining and is familiar with the local community. "I tell you the seat to actually watch out for is Hunter," Hanson said, highlighting Bonds' strong candidacy. "I have been in too many elections, but I won’t count my chickens before they hatch."
Despite speculation, Hanson firmly denied having made any deals with the Coalition regarding preference allocations for 12 of its candidates in key seats across the nation. "I don’t do deals with anyone, alright? I do deals with the Australian people," she stated emphatically. She expressed her concern about the potential for another Albanese-led government, urging voters to reconsider their support for the Greens. "We cannot afford another Albanese, Greens and Teals Government, because this country is on its knees. I hope people really think twice about voting for the Greens. They are not good for this country, throw them all out," she added.
While Hanson is not up for re-election herself, having three years remaining in her Senate term, Senator Malcolm Roberts is running for One Nation in Queensland, and the party is optimistic about securing several Senate positions. The dynamics of this election are underscored by the increasing relevance of One Nation, which is being discussed in political circles and media alike.
In another context, Crikey's Electioncast podcast has been analyzing the implications of One Nation's resurgence on Australian politics. With just two days left before the election, the podcast discussed the final YouGov poll of the campaign, which indicated a surprising Labor majority. The discussions focused on what the growing support for Hanson and One Nation could mean for the next parliament and the future of the political landscape in Australia.
As the election date approaches, the stakes are high. The interplay between major parties and One Nation could significantly alter the political dynamics in Australia, with many voters now weighing their options carefully. The results on May 3 will not only determine the next government but could also signal a shift in how Australian politics is approached in the years to come.
