NSW politics: One Nation wants Libs-Nats preference deal
ONE Nation has no doubt it will strike preference deals with the Liberals and Nationals in some seats at the next NSW election, with the party confident it will claim four Legislative Council spots.
NSW
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ONE Nation has no doubt it will strike preference deals with the Liberals and Nationals in some seats at the next NSW election, with the party confident it will claim four Legislative Council spots.
Federal NSW Senator Brian Burston has told The Daily Telegraph the party is on track to apply for registration by the middle of the year and that the rise of Premier Gladys Berejiklian will “play into One Nation’s favour”.
Asked whether the party will end up doing preference deals with either the Liberals or Nationals in certain seats, Senator Burston said: “I don’t doubt that at all.”
“Certainly, I’m sure that will be the case,” he said.
“I think the Western Australia deal will be the game-changer, it’s going to break the ice.
“Times are different to what they were 20 years ago.”
Ms Berejiklian has repeatedly refused to rule out preference deals with One Nation, dodging the issue amid Labor attacks.
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In Western Australia, the Liberals struck a deal with the minor party, which has experienced a surge in popularity since the federal election across many parts of the nation.
Senator Burston said the party believes it is likely to secure at least four Legislative Council seats and as many as six, with a few lower house seats in its sights.
Cessnock and Upper Hunter are viewed by One Nation as “two big chances”, with Parkes also in the frame.
Senator Burston said the party would preference the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party quite high, given similarities in policy on some issue.
But he stressed deals would be considered on a seat by seat basis.
The change from former premier Mike Baird to Ms Berejiklian, Senator Burston said, was more likely to boost rather than harm the party’s chances.
“She’s a bit further to the left than Baird was,” he said. “She’s a factional implant into the premiership. I think it will play into One Nation’s favour.”
But the party is still yet to be formally registered for state election, though Senator Burston was adamant it would be in a position to progress the process by midyear.
He estimated the party had about the 750 members needed to register and was gaining between 10 and 15 new members in NSW each day.
When the Premier was last week asked in Parliament whether she would rule out any preference deals with One Nation, she said: “What I will be doing at the next election is ensuring that people vote one for the Liberals-Nationals.”
Federal NSW Senator Brian Burston has told The Daily Telegraph the party is on track to apply for registration by the middle of the year and that the rise of Premier Gladys Berejiklian will “play into One Nation’s favour”.
Asked whether the party will end up doing preference deals with either the Liberals or Nationals in certain seats, Senator Burston said: “I don’t doubt that at all.” He described the Liberal Party’s preference deal with the minor party in the Western Australia polls as “the gamechanger”.
Ms Berejiklian has repeatedly refused to rule out preference deals with One Nation.
Senator Burston said the party believes it is likely to secure at least four Legislative Council seats and as many as six, with a few lower house seats in its sights.
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