New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has signaled his determination to confront the rising influence of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party, as polling indicates growing support for the populist group ahead of the state’s March election. Minns rejected the suggestion that backing multiculturalism equates to endorsing controversial practices such as sharia law, describing such claims as misleading and unfounded.
Addressing Hanson’s advocacy for a monocultural Australia, Minns criticized the conflation of multiculturalism with “insane ideologies” such as sharia law and polygamy. He stated that many voters who support multiculturalism do not align with Hanson’s portrayal of these issues. “One of my biggest gripes with what Hanson has been saying is ... if you support multiculturalism, then you’re also for sharia law, multiple marriages or multiple wives for men, and gangs with machetes,” Minns said, calling these assertions “utter garbage.” Living and raising his family in Sydney, Minns emphasized that the city’s diverse communities do not experience the realities described by Hanson.
Minns acknowledged that some voters attracted to One Nation’s message may be difficult to win back but suggested that many were casting their votes as a form of protest rather than a true rejection of multiculturalism. He attributed some of this support to concerns over infrastructure and immigration, rather than ideological alignment with Hanson’s monocultural stance. To counter this, Minns stated that Labor must present a “compelling vision for the future” and be prepared to engage directly with the electorate on these issues.
At the federal level, Treasurer Jim Chalmers drew parallels between the challenges faced by the Australian Labor Party and those encountered by the British Labour Party in countering populist movements like Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Chalmers argued that the best response to voter discontent is tangible government action, highlighting efforts to address cost of living pressures, housing affordability, and tax reform. “The best antidote to anger is action,” he said, underscoring the need for incumbents to deliver real change amid growing global and generational pressures.
The contrast between approaches was noted following the resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the subsequent by-election victory of Andy Burnham over Reform UK in a traditionally pro-Brexit seat, which some see as a significant rebuff to right-wing populism.
On the opposition side, Liberal MP Angus Taylor criticized One Nation as unprepared to govern, pointing to a lack of clarity in Senator Hanson’s policies. Taylor and other Liberal MPs have called on their party to challenge One Nation more directly on issues of multiculturalism and policy substance, in response to Hanson’s promotion of monoculturalism.
Meanwhile, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt indicated that Labor remains vigilant but suggested that the Coalition is disproportionately losing voters to One Nation. He characterized the right-wing party’s primary support base as stemming largely from disaffected Coalition voters amid internal challenges for the government.
As the March state election approaches, both major parties appear focused on addressing the broader political shift that has bolstered One Nation, framing their strategies around responding to voter concerns and countering populist narratives.