Source : Perth Now news
A pair of polls has confirmed a post-Press Club headache for Pauline Hanson and One Nation, showing a slide in popularity since her high-profile speech.
They have even worse news for the coalition, with the much-respected Newspoll putting support for the opposition at a historic low of 17 per cent.
Labor has reclaimed a narrow lead in both the Newspoll and Redbridge surveys, released on Sunday night.
Newspoll, printed in The Australian, has Labor on 33 per cent (up three), with One Nation on 29 (down two) and the Greens on 14 (up two).
The Redbridge poll had Labor on 30 per cent support (up two) compared to One Nation’s 29 (down two), with the Coalition on just 18 (down two) and the Greens on 14 (up two).
The numbers are a sweet tonic for Anthony Albanese and his party, which has battled for post-budget credibility after breaking promises on tax.
The Redbridge poll, reported in the Australian Financial Review, also had Senator Hanson’s net approval falling 10 points from a neutral position to be -10.
The polls are the first major surveys since Senator Hanson’s expansive speech at the National Press Club which set the national discourse for days.
On that outing, she decried paid parental leave and suggested Australia should reject what she described as a failed policy of multiculturalism and instead become a “monoculture”.
She later claimed the Socceroos – whose squad includes migrants and former refugees – were a monoculture because they represented Australia.
On Sunday, Paul Hogan – the man Senator Hanson personally cited as an “essential feature of Australian monoculture” – had his say on her views.
“She’s a pelican,” the beloved US-based actor told the AFR.
“Outrageous, so racist. It sounds very much like this stupid boofhead over here, Trump.”
In the fortnight since her press club appearance, opposition leader Angus Taylor also struggled to articulate his party’s position on multiculturalism alongside its own hard-line immigration policy.
The coalition remains in a dire poll position, well below the 32 per cent support it received at the 2025 election.
Mr Taylor’s blunder overshadowed the coalition’s attack on Labor’s budget, some frustrated Liberals have lamented, although there are no suggestions a leadership challenge is imminent.
The coalition will use the final sitting week before the winter break to ramp up its criticism of the government’s changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing.
That will include a so-called “widow’s tax” affecting jointly owned investment properties, which under Labor’s changes could see an owner lose concessions if widowed or divorced.
The opposition will also attempt to censure the treasurer and finance minister, accusing them of failing to be upfront about the changes.
Debate is also certain on the child social media ban and gambling reform, given Labor is expected to table legislation for both this week.
In a bid to improve compliance with the social media age limit, the nation’s online watchdog will be given stronger enforcement powers, while the maximum fine for platforms that don’t comply will be doubled to $99 million.
On gambling, the federal government’s long-awaited crackdown on betting ads advertising will be introduced, but it is not expected to pass before MPs return to their electorates.
