The Labor Party now treats One Nation as a more serious political opposition than the Coalition, according to ABC News political lead David Speers.
This shift indicates a realignment in Australian politics where a minor party is challenging the government's dominance more effectively than the traditional opposition. The change in strategy follows a series of polls showing a significant surge in support for the right-wing party.
During the Labor National Conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the government's tax changes and targeted his criticism toward One Nation [1]. Speers said that Albanese's approach suggests the government views One Nation as a more immediate threat to its electoral standing than its usual opponents, the Coalition [1].
Recent data supports this perception of a shifting landscape. A Redbridge poll showed One Nation primary-vote support at 27% [2], while both Labor and the Coalition trailed with 26% [2]. This represents a historic trend, as One Nation has recorded more primary-vote support than Labor for the first time in the history of one of Australia's largest polls [3].
Further evidence of this momentum appeared in a Newspoll that surveyed 1,240 voters between Monday and Thursday of last week [4]. The Conversation analysis team said that if the polling is accurate, One Nation is becoming a serious force in Australian politics [5].
The government's decision to prioritize One Nation in its rhetoric marks a departure from the standard binary conflict between Labor and the Coalition. By addressing the specific grievances and policies of One Nation, the Albanese government is attempting to shore up its base and counter the rise of the right-wing surge, a move that acknowledges the changing composition of the Australian electorate.
“One Nation has become a 'more serious' opposition to Labor than its usual opponents, the Coalition.”
The elevation of One Nation to a primary political adversary suggests that the traditional two-party system in Australia is fracturing. By focusing on a populist challenger rather than the Coalition, the Labor government is acknowledging that its greatest electoral risk now comes from the fringes of the right rather than the center-right establishment.
