Pauline Hanson’s One Nation set to run candidates at next state election
PAULINE Hanson’s One Nation party’s intention to run candidates at the next state election is set to further shake up Tasmania’s political scene.
Tasmania
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PAULINE Hanson’s One Nation party’s intention to run candidates at the next state election is set to further shake up Tasmania’s political scene.
A spokeswoman for One Nation confirmed the party intended to become registered in the state and field candidates at the state election due in March 2018.
One Nation’s interest in Tasmania at state political level follows confirmation powerful Tasmanian independents Andrew Wilkie and Jacqui Lambie are also considering backing state election candidates.
Last month the Sunday Tasmanian revealed Mr Wilkie and Senator Lambie were looking at ways to change up state politics.
Mr Wilkie stopped short of saying he would start his own political party but said he was considering options including endorsing candidates.
Senator Lambie said she would be interested in running a candidate under the Jacqui Lambie Network banner if the right person came along.
One Nation came extremely close to securing a Senate seat in Tasmania following the July federal election. The party’s Tasmanian candidate Kate McCulloch came within 141 votes of taking the final seat from Greens Senator Nick McKim.
Polling analyst Kevin Bonham said the major parties likely had more to fear from a candidate endorsed by Senator Lambie than One Nation.
“In the Tasmanian system it’s hard to get in unless you get 8-9 per cent. One Nation didn’t get anything in the Senate to suggest they would get that [in Tasmania],” Dr Bonham said.
“It’s a bit harder to rule out a Lambie candidate because they did have that vote size in the Senate to suggest they would have a chance.
“It seems you have to have a strong candidate above all else in the Hare-Clark system.”
Lately EMRS state voting intentions polls have pointed to another hung parliament.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein said a vote for a minor party candidate would simply increase the likelihood of a hung parliament.
“A vote for a minority party is a vote for minority government and that will simply put Bryan Green into the Premier’s chair and Tasmanians need to understand that,” he said.
Originally published as Pauline Hanson’s One Nation set to run candidates at next state election
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