Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is responsible for a recent surge in support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.

The claim highlights a growing tension within Australian politics as right-wing populist movements gain traction by capitalizing on voter dissatisfaction with the Labor government's economic management.

Taylor said the backlash following the release of the Labor government's budget in May 2024 drove voters toward One Nation [1]. According to Taylor, the party is leveraging this criticism to increase its standing with the electorate [2].

Recent polling data supports the observation of a rise in popularity for the party. Support for One Nation rose two percentage points to 24 percent [3]. Additionally, Pauline Hanson's personal performance rating reached plus 12 in the same poll [3].

Not everyone agrees with Taylor's assessment of the cause. Susie O'Brien, the News Corp National Education Editor, mocked the Opposition Leader's reasoning during an appearance on Sky News Australia.

"I think that’s just bizarre. I thought it was a typo when I read that," O'Brien said.

O'Brien said the surge is less about the budget and more about Hanson's ability to command media attention. She noted that other political actors are struggling to find a voice in the current environment.

"They’re not cutting through; they don’t have any kind of free airtime," O'Brien said.

She further explained that Hanson's strategy relies on provocative statements to maintain visibility. "All Pauline Hanson needs to do is just make some vaguely outrageous comment, and all eyes are on her," O'Brien said.

“"I think that’s just bizarre. I thought it was a typo when I read that."”

The friction between the Coalition and One Nation reflects a strategic battle for the conservative vote in Australia. By attributing One Nation's growth to the Prime Minister's budget, Taylor attempts to frame the populist surge as a failure of the current government rather than a failure of the Coalition to provide a compelling alternative. However, the critique from media analysts suggests that One Nation's growth may be driven more by the 'attention economy' and Hanson's personal brand than by specific policy shifts.