Trade Minister Don Farrell, a senior figure in the Albanese government, has urged the Australian Labor Party (ALP) to maintain a centrist approach and avoid what he described as “wokeness” and “virtue signalling” in order to retain voter support amid growing challenges from the One Nation party. Speaking ahead of the next federal election, Senator Farrell emphasized the importance of focusing on practical governance rather than symbolic gestures.

Farrell, considered a key powerbroker within Labor’s Right faction and mentor to several prominent politicians, including Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, said the party must appeal to mainstream voters by delivering tangible results. “We’re not talking about symbolism or virtue signalling. It’s all about being in there to do a job the best you can for the Australian people,” he said.

The warning comes as the ALP seeks to recover from a decline in its primary vote and criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership. Farrell described Albanese as a centrist leader who has moved away from the more confrontational approach of his predecessor Bill Shorten. He suggested that governing from the middle ground remains the best strategy for long-term electoral success, despite some party members questioning whether recent policies, such as the recognition of Palestine or the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, align with centrist values.

Farrell attributed the rise in support for One Nation, which recently surpassed Labor’s primary vote in some polls, to a sense of national unease triggered by events such as last year’s Bondi terror attack—the deadliest in Australia’s history. He argued that while One Nation’s populist messaging, led by Pauline Hanson, has resonated with some Australians who feel unsafe and dissatisfied with the government, the party may struggle to maintain its momentum over the next two years, particularly referencing the political landscape in South Australia as a test case.

One Nation has capitalized on public discontent by criticizing Labor’s budget reforms addressing negative gearing and capital gains tax, policies the government pledged not to alter prior to the last election. Senator Sean Bell from One Nation claimed these changes represent a failure by Labor, asserting the party’s “fire the liar” campaign forced the government into revising its policy. In response, Farrell defended the budget measures as centrist and aimed at assisting aspiring homeowners and managing economic pressures such as rising interest rates.

Senator Farrell also highlighted a recent rapprochement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, a leading figure of the ALP’s Left faction. Farrell described a mutual shift toward the political center as essential for effective governance, noting that internal ideological differences have had to be set aside to govern cohesively.

Meanwhile, former treasurer and ALP president Wayne Swan has cautioned the party to sharpen its appeal to working-class voters, warning that many remain unconvinced Labor represents their interests. He called for clearer, more relatable messaging that resonates with the people the party aims to serve.

The rise of One Nation and voter disillusionment with traditional parties has prompted concern across the political spectrum. Senior Liberal senator Andrew Bragg noted that while the two-party system has historically served Australia well, the public’s growing frustration reflects a desire for change amid perceptions that the existing political framework no longer adequately addresses their concerns.