Former Queensland premier Rob Borbidge said Friday that surging support for One Nation is creating dangerous conditions for conservative politicians [1].

This warning comes as recent opinion polling indicates that support for Pauline Hanson’s party has reached historic highs [3]. The trend threatens the electoral stability of traditional conservative parties, which risk losing their base to the right-wing populist movement [3].

Borbidge, who previously led the Queensland Liberal-National coalition, spoke about the current political climate during an interview with ABC News Australia on June 5, 2026 [1]. He said that the current trajectory of voter sentiment is a cause for concern among established political figures.

“Alarm bells are ringing within conservative ranks over the surging support for One Nation,” Borbidge said [1].

Borbidge linked the current situation to his own political history in Queensland. In the 1998 state election, One Nation won 11 seats [1]. This result ended the coalition government led by Borbidge, demonstrating the party's ability to disrupt established power structures by splitting the conservative vote [1].

He said that history could repeat itself if the current coalition does not address the concerns of the electorate. The rise of One Nation often signals a disconnect between the mainstream conservative platform, and the priorities of rural or disillusioned voters.

“We are heading into dangerous waters ahead for the coalition if this trend continues,” Borbidge said [2].

““Alarm bells are ringing within conservative ranks over the surging support for One Nation.””

The resurgence of One Nation represents a strategic threat to the Liberal-National coalition by fragmenting the right-wing vote. Borbidge's warning highlights a historical precedent where third-party growth led to the collapse of a governing coalition, suggesting that current polling may foreshadow a significant shift in Queensland's political landscape.