Shadow Assistant Treasurer Kevin Hogan said he is very optimistic about the Coalition's future despite a recent surge in support for One Nation.
The development follows polling data indicating a shift in the Australian political landscape, potentially challenging the Coalition's standing as a primary opposition force.
Speaking in an interview on Sky News Australia, Hogan acknowledged the growth of the rival party. He said the Coalition recognizes that One Nation has gained a lot of support over the last five or six months [1], and that the party needs to reflect on that trend.
Recent data from Newspoll suggests that One Nation has overtaken the Coalition to become Australia’s second most popular political force [2]. This shift places the Coalition in a precarious position regarding its voter base and influence.
Despite these numbers, Hogan expressed confidence in the party's ability to recover. "I’m very optimistic about the Coalition," Hogan said. "I think we have a journey, and I think we need time to rebuild some faith and trust in us."
Hogan emphasized that the path forward requires a concerted effort to restore confidence among the electorate. He said he is optimistic about the future of the party as it navigates this period of volatility.
While Hogan maintains a positive outlook, other commentary suggests a more urgent atmosphere within the major parties. Some reports describe Labor and the Coalition as being in a blind panic over the success of the One Nation movement.
“I’m very optimistic about the Coalition.”
The rise of One Nation as a second-most popular political force [2] indicates a fragmentation of the right-wing vote in Australia. For the Coalition, the need to rebuild trust suggests a strategic pivot may be necessary to prevent further voter leakage to populist alternatives.
