Angus Taylor rejects One Nation seat sharing deal as cracks appear in Liberal ranks over Pauline Hanson threat

Lead

Australia's political landscape is being reshaped by the rapid rise of One Nation, which has surged ahead of both major parties in recent opinion polls and raised more than $1.6 million in a single day. The development has exposed deep divisions within the Liberal Party over how to respond, with leader Angus Taylor ruling out any formal seat-sharing arrangement while some colleagues and former prime minister Tony Abbott have floated cooperation.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from ABC Australia and The Guardian — World describe a party grappling with a populist insurgency. Angus Taylor, the opposition leader, has stated there is "no plan to carve up seats" with One Nation, a position echoed by Liberal Senator James Paterson, who said it was too early to discuss preference deals and that the party should focus on earning back traditional voters' trust. However, Tony Pasin, a Liberal frontbencher from South Australia, has suggested the two parties could work "hand in glove" to target seats each had a chance of winning from Labor, claiming they could "get two seats for the price of one."

Tony Abbott, the former prime minister who recently became Liberal Party president, has backed preference deals with One Nation, arguing that "as a general rule, it makes sense for parties of the right to preference each other just as parties of the left have always done." Abbott also reflected on the rise of One Nation, saying Liberal voters felt "let down" by successive coalition governments, including his own, which he said had led to the rise of the party.

Bridget McKenzie, a Nationals frontbencher, has not ruled out a future coalition with One Nation, leaving the door open to cooperation. The differing stances have created visible splits within the party, with moderate MPs expressing unease about associating with Hanson, fearing it could hurt the party in city seats.

Key Claims

• One Nation raised over $1.6 million in donations in a single day, a figure described as "unprecedented" in a Labor fundraising email.
• Pauline Hanson has nominated a list of Labor-held seats her party will target at the next election, including those of Tony Burke, Chris Bowen, Andrew Giles, Clare O'Neil, and Madeleine King.
• Tony Abbott has suggested the Liberal Party should work with One Nation to defeat Labor, comparing the situation to the MAGA movement in the US.
• Angus Taylor has said there is no plan to carve up seats with One Nation, but has also indicated he is open to working with any party to remove Labor from government.
• Tony Pasin has proposed that the Liberal Party and One Nation work together to identify which seats to target, a plan rejected by Taylor and Paterson.
• Colleen Harkin, a one-time federal Liberal candidate and director of education at the Institute of Public Affairs, has resigned from the Liberal Party, citing concerns about its direction and describing it as in an "insipid state."
• One Nation is embracing economic populism, with Hanson proposing to limit negative gearing to two properties, a policy similar to that of the Greens.
• Australia will impose further sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, as reported by ABC Australia.

Perspectives

Liberal Party Leadership (Angus Taylor): The opposition leader has ruled out any formal seat-sharing or non-compete agreement with One Nation, stating "no, there's no plan to carve up seats" and that the Coalition's focus should be on beating Labor. He has, however, left the door open to working with any party to remove the Labor government.

Liberal Party Dissenters (Tony Pasin, Tony Abbott, Bridget McKenzie): A faction within the party, including frontbencher Tony Pasin and party president Tony Abbott, has suggested cooperation with One Nation, ranging from preference swaps to working "hand in glove" to target seats. Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie has not ruled out a future coalition with One Nation.

Liberal Party Moderates (James Paterson, Maria Kovacic): Senator James Paterson has rejected Pasin's proposal, saying it is too early to discuss preference deals and that the party should focus on earning back trust. Moderate NSW Senator Maria Kovacic has also expressed concerns about associating with One Nation.

One Nation (Pauline Hanson): Hanson has capitalized on the surge in support, launching a fundraising campaign that raised over $1.6 million in a day and targeting specific Labor-held seats. She has also proposed economic populist policies, such as limiting negative gearing, to appeal to voters disillusioned with the major parties.