Opposition Leader Angus Taylor (Liberal Party) said the federal Coalition is open to negotiating a preference deal with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.
This potential alliance marks a strategic shift in the Coalition's approach to the next federal election. By securing preferences from One Nation, the Coalition aims to gather enough support to unseat the current Labor government.
Taylor said this on June 9, 2026 [1]. He said the move is primarily a tactical decision to ensure a change in leadership at the federal level.
"I'm open to all options, including a preference deal with One Nation, if it helps us get rid of the Labor government," Taylor said.
The openness to a deal follows signals from the One Nation party. Pauline Hanson said to Sky News on Sunday that she wanted to work with the Coalition to deliver good policies for Australians.
The Coalition's willingness to partner with Hanson's party suggests a priority on electoral mathematics over ideological purity, a move designed to consolidate the conservative vote. While the two groups have historically diverged on specific policy implementations, the shared goal of removing the Labor government provides a common ground for negotiation.
One Nation has previously urged for lower migration levels to combat the influence of other right-wing movements, a position that may overlap with certain Coalition objectives. Taylor said he did not specify the exact terms of any potential agreement, only that the Coalition remains open to options that facilitate a victory in the upcoming election cycle.
“"I'm open to all options, including a preference deal with One Nation, if it helps us get rid of the Labor government."”
This development indicates a pragmatic pivot by the Liberal-National Coalition to broaden its electoral base. By entertaining a preference deal with One Nation, the Coalition is attempting to prevent the fragmentation of the right-wing vote, which could otherwise allow Labor to maintain power through a split conservative electorate.
