The political landscape in Australia is undergoing a dramatic shift, with Pauline Hanson's One Nation party gaining unprecedented support and overtaking the Labor Party as the preferred choice for prime minister. This surge in popularity comes at a time when the Coalition is experiencing a record-low primary vote, highlighting the changing dynamics of Australian politics.
Hanson's rise to prominence is particularly striking, as she has edged out Anthony Albanese, the current Labor leader, in the preferred prime minister poll. This shift in public opinion is further emphasized by the fact that One Nation has now surpassed both major parties in terms of primary vote, a significant development in Australian politics.
The Resolve Political Monitor survey, conducted for The Age, reveals a 5-percentage-point rise in One Nation's primary vote to 29 per cent, while the Coalition's primary vote has dropped to a record low of 20 per cent. Labor's primary vote has also dipped to 28 per cent, marking the lowest since February 2025. This trend is particularly notable given the ongoing backlash over the federal budget, which has seen support for Labor's budget reforms slump.
Hanson's appeal extends beyond her traditional support base, with 29 per cent of Australians born in Australia and 28 per cent of those born overseas backing her. This broad appeal is further evidenced by the fact that 31 per cent of Australians with an Anglo-Saxon background and 24 per cent with a non-Anglo background support One Nation. Jim Reed, the Resolve pollster, attributes this to the 'drawbridge effect', where Australians born overseas are often more vehemently opposed to increased immigration.
The survey also highlights the performance of the major party leaders. Albanese's 'good' score is 35 per cent, while Taylor's 'good' score is 38 per cent. However, Taylor's 'bad' score is 32 per cent, and 30 per cent of respondents are undecided. This suggests that while Taylor may have a positive image, he is not as well-liked as Albanese.
The poll's findings underscore the extent to which Hanson and One Nation are winning supporters beyond their traditional base. This is particularly evident in the head-to-head preferred prime minister contest between Albanese and Taylor, where Albanese recorded a score of 31 per cent, while Taylor scored 32 per cent, with 36 per cent undecided. This indicates that Hanson's appeal is not limited to a specific demographic, but rather is resonating with a broader range of voters.
The high cost of living remains the top policy priority for Australians, with 47 per cent nominating it as the most important issue. This is a significant shift in focus, as it highlights the public's desire for solutions to economic challenges. The poll also found that support for ending the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount has dropped by 5 points, while opposition to the change has risen by 10 percentage points.
In conclusion, the political landscape in Australia is in flux, with One Nation's rise challenging the dominance of the major parties. This shift in public opinion is a reflection of the electorate's desire for change and a broader range of political options. As the country continues to grapple with economic challenges, the outcome of this political shift remains to be seen, but it is clear that Hanson's One Nation is a force to be reckoned with in Australian politics.
