Commentator Peter van Onselen criticises Albanese’s rhetoric after byelection loss; Hanson accuses Labor of escalating political tension.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s description of hard-right populists as “dangerous, divisive and downright dishonest” has drawn sharp criticism from political commentators and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, following the party’s surprise byelection victory in Western Australia.
Speaking at the Queensland Labor Party conference on Sunday, hours after One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen won the outer-Perth seat of Secret Harbour from Labor, Albanese framed the result as part of a broader global challenge. “Across the world, hard-right populists are on the march, peddling politics that is dangerous, divisive and downright dishonest,” he said. “We simply must defeat them. We owe it to history.”
Albanese accused One Nation of lacking serious policy answers, bending facts, spreading misinformation and turning “Australian against Australian.” He also linked the party to a wider “coalition of chaos” involving the Liberals and Nationals.
Albanese Accused of Political Hypocrisy:
Political editor Peter van Onselen, writing in the Daily Mail Australia, described Albanese’s rebuke as hypocritical. He pointed to the prime minister’s own recent policy shifts, including changes to positions taken before the previous election, arguing that Labor was accusing others of saying “anything to win votes” while adjusting its own stance in response to One Nation’s rising support.
Van Onselen’s column portrayed the speech as an attempt by Labor to claim the high ground after a significant electoral setback in a traditional stronghold. One Nation’s win marked a historic breakthrough in the seat, amplifying concerns within Labor about the party’s growing appeal among voters disillusioned with both major parties.
Albanese-Hanson Clash Intensifies Over One Nation:
Pauline Hanson responded by accusing Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers of crossing a line. She argued that labelling democratically elected opponents as “dangerous” and a “threat to our country” risked inflaming tensions and could invite political violence. “Words have consequences,” Hanson said.
The comments come amid shifting national polls. Recent surveys have shown One Nation’s primary support rising to levels competitive with or ahead of Labor in some measures, while the Coalition’s vote has weakened. Analysts note that the fragmentation of the conservative vote benefits Labor in preferential voting systems, yet Labor’s own primary support has come under pressure in working-class and outer-suburban areas.
Albanese’s government has positioned the fight against populism as a defence of social cohesion and democratic norms. Critics, including van Onselen and Hanson, contend that the language risks alienating voters who see One Nation as a legitimate outlet for concerns over immigration, cost of living and cultural change.
The Secret Harbour result and the ensuing rhetorical clash highlight the intensifying contest on Australia’s political right and the challenges facing Labor as it navigates a more fragmented electoral landscape ahead of the next federal election.