One Nation’s controversial Senate act

John Howard neutralised Pauline Hanson 30 years ago. What’s changed since then? Pauline Hanson’s emergence as a formidable political force in 2026 marks a seismic shift in Australia’s political landscape, challenging the long-standing norms of moderate governance that once defined the country’s democratic framework. Before this year, Australia's political identity was characterised by a consistent avoidance of extremism. Liberal prime ministers occupied positions to the centre-left compared to their counterparts in Britain and the United States, while Labor leaders leaned further to the centre-right relative to British Labour and remained less ideologically driven than U.S. Democrats. This equilibrium was disrupted by the rise of One Nation, a movement led by Hanson, which has managed to transcend its origins in Queensland and challenge the established political order. The transformation began with the 2026 federal election, during which One Nation achieved unprecedented success. The party secured its first seat in the House of Representatives following a byelection in the Farrer constituency in southern New South Wales. This victory came despite the party's historical association with regional Queensland and its limited national reach. In addition, One Nation narrowly missed securing the formal opposition status from the Liberal Party in South Australia, a state historically known for its social progressivism. These developments have positioned One Nation as a credible contender in the upcoming Victorian state election, where polling suggests the possibility of a three-way contest involving the traditional major parties and the emerging populist movement. To understand the significance of this shift, one must look back to the early days of Pauline Hanson’s political career. Her initial impact was felt in the late 1990s when she became a disruptive force within the Coalition government led by John Howard. At that time, Hanson was perceived as an unpredictable element threatening Howard’s authority. Her campaign against the Keating government in 1996, which culminated in her winning the safe Labor seat of Oxley, demonstrated her ability to mobilise discontent among voters. Despite being preselected by the Liberal Party to run against a Labor candidate, Hanson was removed from the list due to her inflammatory rhetoric, particularly regarding Indigenous policy. Howard claimed this move underscored his commitment to governing for all Australians, yet it inadvertently elevated Hanson’s profile. Hanson’s subsequent launch of the One Nation party in 1997 marked a pivotal moment. Initially drawing support from disaffected Coalition voters in regional areas, the party gradually gained traction beyond its base. John Howard attempted to co-opt these voters through preference distribution strategies, but this approach risked alienating urban constituencies. As a result, the Liberal Party's standing in socially progressive regions weakened, paving the way for Hanson’s influence to grow. The current resurgence of One Nation reflects broader societal changes and evolving voter sentiments. With the traditional centrist consensus eroding, the political landscape is witnessing a reconfiguration that challenges the dominance of mainstream parties. This evolution underscores a fundamental shift in how Australians perceive their national identity and political representation, signaling a new era in the country's democratic journey.