Former Labor senator Stephen Conroy has urged the Australian Labor Party to take the political threat posed by One Nation seriously [1].

The warning comes as the party faces potential losses in areas historically considered secure strongholds. If One Nation continues to gain traction in these regions, it could shift the balance of power in the Australian parliament and force a realignment of Labor's core strategies.

Conroy pointed to recent polling figures as the basis for his concern. He said these figures indicate that One Nation is now a real challenge for the party in its traditional safe seats [1].

"You would want to take this seriously," Conroy said [1].

According to Conroy, the data suggests a vulnerability in the party's base that cannot be ignored. He said the current trends demonstrate a specific risk to the seats Labor typically relies upon to maintain its majority [1].

"Those figures demonstrate that there is a real challenge for us in what we would call our traditional safe seats," Conroy said [1].

The former senator's comments highlight a growing tension within the party regarding how to handle the rise of right-wing populism in Australia. While some party members may view One Nation as a fringe movement, Conroy said the polling indicates a more systemic shift in voter loyalty [1].

Labor has not yet issued a formal response to the specific polling data cited by Conroy, but the internal pressure to address these vulnerabilities is mounting as the party evaluates its standing in regional and working-class districts [1].

“"You would want to take this seriously."”

The warning from a former party insider suggests that Labor's 'safe' seats are no longer guaranteed, indicating a potential erosion of the party's traditional working-class base. This shift reflects a broader global trend where populist parties capture voters who feel alienated by mainstream center-left platforms.