Full Breakdown
One Nation’s Migration Push Gains Traction Among Diverse Voters Amid Shifting Australian Polls
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: One Nation’s Migration Policy Gains Support
Senator Pauline Hanson announced that One Nation would cut Australia’s net overseas migration—from roughly 300,000 last year to 130,000. The proposal has resonated with some culturally diverse Australians who cite cost-of-living pressure, housing shortages, and security concerns.
Background & Context
One Nation has moved from a fringe, single-issue party to a contender in federal and state politics. The party won its first federal by-election this year and secured seats in South Australia and Western Australia. Its surge coincides with growing voter dissatisfaction with the major parties, prompting One Nation to broaden its platform beyond migration to energy, cost of living, and institutional reform. The party’s leader, Hanson, has also called for “monoculturalism,” rejecting multiculturalism—a stance that has drawn both attention and criticism.
Data & Statistics
- Victorian poll (Australian Financial Review/RedBridge Group/Accent Research): Coalition 29 %, One Nation 25 %, Labor 24 %, Greens 15 % (margin ±2.2 pp).
- Resolve Strategic poll: Coalition 28 %, Labor 25 %, One Nation 23 %, Greens 12 %.
- Roy Morgan federal poll: ALP 25 % (down 2 pp), One Nation 25 % (down 1.5 pp), L-NP Coalition 21.5 % (unchanged), Liberals 19 % (up 2 pp), Nationals 2.5 % (down 2 pp), Greens 16 % (up 1.5 pp).
- Net overseas migration target: Current ? 300,000 people; One Nation’s goal ? 130,000.
Official Statements & Responses
- Pauline Hanson framed the migration cut as a “targeted skilled migration program” that would protect “national security” and ease pressure on housing and infrastructure.
Criticism & Opposition
- Dr Jill Sheppard, ANU researcher, warned that “Running as a very strongly anti-migration single-issue party will only get One Nation so far.”
- Manju, an Indian-Australian voter, said the rhetoric “makes me sick,” reflecting concern that Hanson’s language fuels racial animus.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Running as a very strongly anti-migration single-issue party will only get One Nation so far,” — Dr Sheppard, ANU researcher
- “The extreme hatred directed at any brown-skinned person makes me sick,” — Manju, Indian-Australian voter
- “There are additional barriers for some communities, including recognition of overseas qualifications, discrimination, being apart from their families, access to services and navigating complex systems,” — Ms Mehta, FECCA chief executive
What’s Next
- Victorian state election – 28 Nov: One Nation will contest all 88 lower-house seats, creating three-cornered contests that could reshape preference flows between Labor, the Coalition, and One Nation.
- Federal election timing remains unspecified, but upcoming polls will continue to track One Nation’s national support as the party seeks to translate its polling surge into parliamentary representation.