Hanson’s media stance draws criticism
Pauline Hanson held a press conference on Monday to reveal One Nation’s candidates for the upcoming November Victorian state election. However, journalists from major outlets like the ABC, the Age, and the Guardian were not given the time or location of the event. The move has been criticized as an apparent rebuke of certain media outlets. When asked about her stance on media access in a democracy, particularly with her party's ambitions to form government, Hanson remarked, 'Democracy doesn’t happen on the ABC at all.' This response was met with raised eyebrows and further scrutiny over the party's media relations.
During the press conference, a journalist probed whether excluding ABC might undermine One Nation’s ability to reach voters in regional Victoria. Hanson dismissed the notion, asserting that 'We’ve got Rebel News here, I am happy with them.' Rebel News Australia, which she prefers to work with, is led by Avi Yemini, a former Israeli soldier who describes himself as an investigative journalist. She also noted this wasn't the first time she had limited ABC's access, recalling an eight-month period in 1996. She stated, 'The same will go with the Guardian.' She added, 'I’m not putting up with the spin, gotcha moments. Enough is enough.' Her comments highlight a growing friction between her party and mainstream media.
Candidates reflect One Nation’s ideological stance
One Nation has revealed eight candidates for the Victorian election, each embodying the party’s core ideological messages. Warren Pickering, the party’s Victorian president, has been tasked with leading the campaign and will run in the eastern Victoria region. He previously managed One Nation’s 2022 election efforts, which resulted in 0.22% of first-preference votes in the lower house. It also earned 2% in the upper house. While the party has faced slow progress in recent years, it has now shown a surge in popularity. 19 to 27 percent of Victorians reportedly considering voting for the party. This shift in public opinion is a significant development for One Nation.
Harkin defected to One Nation in June and has been a prominent figure in conservative circles. She led a legal challenge against the Liberal Party's decision to provide a $1.55m loan to John Pesutto after his loss in a defamation case. Harkin also caused controversy in 2022 by stating that describing global warming as a 'climate emergency' was 'almost' child abuse. Her transition to One Nation underscores the party’s appeal to conservative individuals who feel disillusioned with the major parties. Additionally, her past efforts to secure Liberal preselection for the neighboring seat of Goldstein in 2024, which she lost to Tim Wilson, highlight the party’s potential to draw from the conservative base.
Mark Nicholson, co-founder of Stepmates Studios, the animation studio responsible for Pauline Hanson’s cartoon web series and a satirical, anti-woke movie, will contest the northern metropolitan region. He is a key figure in the production of the party’s visual content. Meanwhile, Geelong councillor Chris Burson will represent One Nation in western Victoria. In a June interview, he claimed to have worked with the personal protection team for former premier Daniel Andrews and his wife Catherine, a role that became increasingly demanding during the pandemic as threats against Andrews intensified.
Legislative changes may impact One Nation's prospects
The release of One Nation’s candidate list coincides with a major legislative change in Victoria. New premier Ben Carroll recently introduced legislation to remove group voting tickets, a reform that could significantly affect the party’s strategy. If One Nation maintains its current level of support, with 19 to 27 percent of Victorians favoring the party, these candidates stand a strong chance of securing seats. However, the absence of group voting tickets may pose a challenge, as it limits the party’s ability to control the flow of preferences as it traditionally has. Despite this, the party’s candidates are being viewed as potential winners given the current polling trends.
Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, One Nation’s only current member of parliament, will aim for re-election in Northern Victoria. Fiona Lopez, Aaron Sandford, and Natalie Adams will also contest the remaining three upper house regions. In a statement, Hanson said that the party will field candidates in every seat at the election, declaring, 'We’ll have a talented team of people intent on restoring Victoria and kicking out the tired and toxic Labor government which has run this state into the ground, getting away with it thanks to a weak Liberal opposition.' Her comments reflect the party's broader political ambitions and its desire to position itself as a strong opposition force in the region.