Editorial: One Nation will grow if voters ignored

PAULINE HANSON has been clever to again tap into disaffection but she’s also yet to offer anything beyond slogans about refugees, the perceived ills of free trade and a vague call to put Australia first.

The last time Senator Pauline Hanson was a real player in Australian politics, her downfall was disunity, and inability to offer any real solutions. Picture: AAP

CATH Matsen, a Queensland public servant who volunteered at the last federal election to help the One Nation candidate for the seat of Hinkler, based around Bundaberg, summed up in eight words why so many voters are turning to Pauline Hanson’s comeback party. “People feel they are not being listened to,” she told The Courier-Mail’s Michael Madigan.

Our exclusive Galaxy poll today puts this sentiment into hard numbers with almost half of the electorate saying One Nation addresses issues of concern to Queenslanders in a better way than the major parties.

This means Labor and the LNP have lost the faith of one in two voters to stand up for the values and things that matter for people in this state.

This is not so surprising, given the low regard most people have for politicians. Former cabinet minister and veteran Queensland Liberal Ian Macfarlane nails it when he says people are tired of “white bread politicians” – those who look alike and talk alike, having hardly had any life experience outside the world of party politics, trade unions and staff work.

Senator Hanson, who first exploited this sentiment two decades ago and, for a brief time, had a significant presence in the Queensland parliament, is back with an even more powerful say in the Senate where she and three colleagues are a force to be negotiated with.

The last time Senator Hanson was a real player in Australian politics, her downfall was disunity, and inability to offer any real solutions to the disgruntlement and alienation many felt and then a big upturn in the economy.

She has been clever to again tap into disaffection after six years of often dysfunctional government in Canberra under prime ministers Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull. She has yet to offer anything beyond boilerplate slogans about Muslim refugees, the perceived ills of free trade and a vague call to put Australia first.

Mr Turnbull struck a necessary chord this week when he told a business dinner in Sydney any retreat on free and open trade and economic policies was a wrong call.

“Countries that have embraced open trade and investment policies have experienced significant gains in income, employment and living standards,” Mr Turnbull said.

“They have lifted billions out of poverty.”

Mr Turnbull went on to say there were always winners and losers from economic change and progress and it was the duty of government and business to ensure the benefits of progress were shared fairly.

If he can do so he’ll go a long way to win the debate with Senator Hanson – if not, and her party maintains unity and focus, she could well continue to prosper from disaffection that’s abroad.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Lachlan Heywood, corner of Mayne Road & Campbell Street, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND. (ACN 009 661 778)