Teena McQueen, a former Federal Party vice-president, has defected from the Liberal Party to join One Nation.
The move marks a significant departure for a long-term party insider and highlights growing ideological shifts within Australia's conservative political landscape.
McQueen served as a member of the Liberal Party for 40 years [1] before making the decision to switch affiliations. During an interview with Andrew Bolt on Sky News Australia, she said her transition was a personal choice, stating, "I asked to join" [2].
She cited the current condition of the nation and the well-being of her family as the primary drivers for her defection. McQueen said she came to the conclusion, looking at her two grandchildren and the state of the country, that she really wanted to help One Nation [2].
Her tenure within the Liberal Party included high-level leadership as a vice-president, making her a veteran of the party's internal structure. The shift to One Nation suggests a move toward more populist conservative policies, a trend that has seen various figures migrate across party lines in recent years.
McQueen did not elaborate on specific policy failures of the Liberal Party during the segment, but focused on her desire to contribute to the growth of One Nation [2].
“I asked to join.”
The defection of a high-ranking former official like McQueen indicates a potential erosion of the Liberal Party's hold on its traditional conservative base. By moving to One Nation, a party known for more nationalist and populist stances, McQueen reflects a broader trend of right-wing voters and officials seeking alternatives to mainstream conservative parties to address perceived national decline.
