Full Breakdown
One Nation’s Growing NSW Ticket Ahead of the 2027 Election
By Drooid · · How we work
Influx of Former Coalition Figures
Reporting on October 14, 2026 identified a “conga line” of former Liberal and National Party members seeking nomination on One Nation’s NSW ticket for the 2027 state election. Named individuals include former Liberal candidate Katherine Deves, former federal Liberal senator Hollie Hughes, former NSW upper-house MP Lou Amato, ex-Wollondilly Liberal MP Nathaniel Smith, and former Upper Hunter Nationals MP Michael Johnsen, who resigned in 2021 after rape allegations but later said he was “vindicated” following a Department of Public Prosecutions assessment of insufficient evidence. Additional discussions involve former Nationals staffer Les Wells and former Nationals candidate Sean Gleeson.
Party Leadership’s Outsider Narrative
One Nation leader Mike Newman, a former investment banker and NSW trade commissioner, repeatedly stresses that the party will field candidates “from outside the political mainstream.” At a press conference, Newman asserted that he is not a politician and that One Nation’s candidates will not be beholden to internal party structures, positioning this as a “palpable difference” from the major parties. He also argued that a One Nation government would be less prone to corruption because it would not be run by former politicians.
Candidate Selection Process
A party spokeswoman disclosed that more than 800 applications from community leaders, advocates and business people have been received. As of the latest report, only three candidates have been pre-selected: Newman himself, upper-house lead Stuart Bonds, and Tamworth gun-maker Jeff Bacon. The party indicated that the full slate of candidates will be announced as the election approaches March 13, 2027.
Potential Electoral Impact
The arrival of high-profile former Coalition figures creates tension within One Nation’s effort to maintain an anti-establishment image while expanding its electoral base. Critics within the party warn that the influx could lead to a perception of “Liberal-lite” positioning, potentially undermining the party’s outsider branding as it seeks to challenge both the Labor government and the traditional right-wing bloc in the upcoming election.
Why It Matters
If One Nation succeeds in integrating these defectors and presenting a credible alternative, the party could reshape the dynamics of NSW politics by pulling votes from both major parties. Conversely, the internal conflict over candidate origins may expose limits to the party’s populist appeal, influencing voter calculations ahead of the March 2027 state election.