Barnaby Joyce, MP for One Nation, said a recent poll shows his party has overtaken Labor on the primary-vote tally [1].
The shift suggests a significant realignment in Australian voter sentiment, signaling a potential move away from the traditional major parties toward right-wing populism.
Speaking in an interview with Sky News Australia in June 2024, Joyce said the surge reflects a growing appetite for One Nation's policies and widespread voter dissatisfaction with the current political establishment [1]. He said the polling results are an indicator of the public mood rather than a final electoral result.
"They are an incredible honour, but they are an indicator not a vote," Joyce said [1].
Reporting from 7news also noted that One Nation has overtaken Labor on the primary-vote for the first time [2]. This development marks a rare moment in Australian political polling where a minor party exceeds the primary support of a major party of government.
Beyond the polling numbers, Joyce used the platform to criticize current fiscal policy. He specifically targeted the government's financial planning and said the whole budget should be binned [1].
One Nation has historically focused on issues of national sovereignty and immigration, but the recent primary-vote increase suggests these platforms are resonating with a broader segment of the electorate [2]. The party's rise comes as voters express frustration with the cost of living and government spending, factors that Joyce believes are driving the shift in popularity [1].
“One Nation has overtaken Labor on the primary‑vote for the first time.”
The rise of One Nation above Labor in primary polling indicates a volatile political climate where voters are increasingly willing to abandon major party loyalty. While primary votes do not always translate directly into parliamentary seats due to the preferential voting system, the trend suggests that the government is facing a crisis of confidence that could impact future election outcomes.
