Former Nationals leader David Littleproud has issued a stark warning to Australia’s major political parties, asserting that their wholesale abandonment of policy platforms following the Coalition’s devastating 2025 federal election defeat created a political vacuum effectively exploited by Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party. This assessment comes in the wake of South Australia’s state election, where One Nation achieved a remarkable breakthrough by capturing approximately 21% of first-preference votes in the lower house, while simultaneously outperforming the Liberal Party in upper house preferences with about 23% support. Despite Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas securing a decisive victory with nearly 40% of the primary vote, the election results revealed significant voter dissatisfaction with established political entities. Littleproud, who recently stepped down as Nationals leader citing fatigue, emphasized that contemporary polling data indicates no major party currently commands more than 30% primary support nationally. He characterized Hanson as a ‘consummate professional politician’ who capitalized on the Coalition’s strategic error of policy abandonment. One Nation is now positioned to secure at least two upper house seats, including one for state leader Cory Bernardi, plus potential lower house representation. The political landscape appears increasingly fragmented as traditional party allegiances weaken amid growing voter discontent.
Coalition election policy rethink opened ‘vacuum’ for Pauline Hanson, One Nation: Littleproud
