One Nation’s Rising Influence: A Shake-Up in South Australian Politics
South Australia’s political landscape is experiencing a significant shift following the recent state election, with the populist One Nation party making substantial inroads, particularly in the upper house. The party’s performance has prompted reactions from across the political spectrum, with leaders acknowledging the changing voter sentiment and the challenges ahead.
One Nation’s Ambitious Aims
Cory Bernardi, South Australian leader for One Nation and a former Liberal senator, has adopted a defiant stance as vote counting continues. He believes the Labor Premier, Peter Malinauskas, might prefer to keep the Liberal Party as a “controlled opposition” rather than face a formidable One Nation. The party is reportedly targeting six seats in the Legislative Council, the state’s upper house, and Bernardi is confident they are “in the hunt” for five or six of these.
“It looks like we’ll get three people elected,” Bernardi stated, suggesting that this, combined with the remaining Liberal members and independents, could grant One Nation the balance of power in the Legislative Council. He also pointed to a number of ballots that were deemed informal because voters had “just put one in the One Nation box.” These votes, he claims, could significantly improve their standing in some seats once counted.
Bernardi expressed concern that any denial of representation for One Nation in the South Australian Parliament could be a result of a “cozy deal between Liberal and Labor,” which he argues would validate his long-held views on “uni party politics.” He asserts that a strong One Nation presence would provide “the strongest voice for South Australia that has ever been in that Parliament” and that the party has learned valuable lessons from this campaign, preparing them to be an “even more formidable force at the next election.”
Liberal Party’s Response and Future Outlook
South Australian Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn has pushed back against One Nation’s claims, emphasizing that the minor party has not yet secured a single seat. “They’ve not been able to secure a single seat in the lower house, as far as I can see,” Hurn stated, while acknowledging that there are “lessons to learn” from the election results.
Hurn noted that feedback from voters across the state indicates a desire for politicians to “get back to basics.” She highlighted this as a cornerstone of her own campaign, despite the short 100-day timeframe. Looking towards the Labor government, Hurn stressed the importance of a strong opposition to hold the government accountable. “It is not healthy to have a government that can just get away scot-free with failures. They need a strong opposition, and that’s what the Liberal Party will provide us,” she declared. The party intends to reflect on the results but will focus on moving forward and “rolling up [their] sleeves and getting on with it.”
Labor Voters Shifting Allegiance
Premier Peter Malinauskas has acknowledged that Labor voters, not just Liberal supporters, have been drawn to One Nation, despite his government’s comfortable re-election. “I also think we saw Labor voters moving to One Nation,” he admitted on ABC.
Malinauskas cautioned against underestimating any political opponent, stating, “the moment you start assuming the upper limit on any political opponent, is the moment your primary vote starts going down.” He also expressed a desire to “expose” One Nation by highlighting what he perceives as a lack of policy in their campaign. “You look at One Nation’s contribution in the South Australian campaign, what you see is a lot of rhetoric, a lot of rhetoric, and almost zero policy,” he argued.
Malinauskas believes that mainstream parties, particularly Labor, must focus on both cultural relevance and a clear policy agenda. “If we did both those things in concurrence with one another, I think it will expose One Nation as being a little bit more symbolic rather than serious about using the power of government to achieve things for people,” he said. While grateful for his premiership, he issued a message to his federal and state colleagues, emphasizing the importance of sound economic settings to ensure a growing economy benefits all citizens.
Barnaby Joyce’s Take on One Nation and Political Strategy
Barnaby Joyce, who recently joined One Nation after leaving the Nationals, discussed the party’s efforts to improve candidate vetting, particularly in light of allegations against one South Australian candidate. He acknowledged that “every party was going to have mistakes” and that One Nation is consulting with others to learn how to “become better.”
Joyce believes that the Labor Party would prefer the Liberal Party over One Nation, seeing the latter as the “real opposition.” He also criticised his former Coalition colleagues’ stance on net-zero emissions, stating, “You’re not going to get cheap power if you believe in net zero. It just doesn’t happen.” He reiterated One Nation’s policy positions, including building coal-fired power stations and strongly controlling immigration, and denied that the party is comprised of “bigots and racist.” He did, however, offer a compliment to Premier Malinauskas, calling him “red hot” and “a good-looking guy.”
Lessons from the Coalition’s Defeat
Former Nationals leader David Littleproud attributed the Coalition’s significant election loss to a “wholesale scrapping of policy,” which he argues created a “vacuum for Pauline Hanson to walk in.” He described One Nation’s performance as a “big showing,” noting their substantial vote increase from a low base.
Littleproud believes that voters are “angry” and “hurting,” seeking direction. He stressed the importance for political parties to “stand for something.” He identified the Coalition’s decision to “basically abolish all policies” after their May election loss as their “biggest mistake.” He sees a “significant opportunity” for the Coalition under its new leadership, particularly in light of the perceived lack of popular support for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese compared to Premier Malinauskas.
One Nation is now positioned to secure at least two seats in the upper house, with state leader Cory Bernardi expected to win one. The party may also claim one or more seats in the lower house, signaling a notable shift in the state’s political dynamics.
