Queensland election 2017 analysis: Farcical scenes from One Nation reminiscent of 1998

SENATOR Fraser Anning’s decision to quit One Nation within an hour of being sworn in drew instant parallels with the party’s capitulation after the 1998 state election, says Steven Wardill.

Senator Fraser Anning being escorted into the federal chamber by senators Cory Benardi and David Leyonhjelm. Picture: Gary Ramage

TIM Nicholls’ attempts to tip toe through the issue of the LNP’s decision to preference One Nation ahead of Labor in 49 seats yesterday became more difficult.

New Queensland senator Fraser Anning’s decision to quit One Nation within an hour of being sworn in drew instant parallels with the party’s capitulation after the 1998 state election.

Senator Fraser Anning being escorted into the federal chamber by senators Cory Benardi and David Leyonhjelm. Picture: Gary Ramage

One Nation’s success then in getting 11 candidates elected quickly soured. Two MPs quit during the term. Everyone else defected.

There were many farcical scenes in between, such as the time Tableland’s Shaun Nelson asked Labor’s Jim Fouras to “step outside” for a more robust debate about multiculturalism.

One Nation was already proving a sideshow before Anning’s defection.

One Nation State Leader Steve Dickson with Senator Pauline Hanson. Picture: Lachie Millard

State leader Steve Dickson was warning of strap-on dildo classes in Queensland schools.

A candidate offered up some very mealy-mouthed answers to questions about dubious content on his sex shop’s social media site.

Many One Nation voters might find all this a bit below the belt and it could make some LNP supporters think twice about supporting the party, given high expectations that there will be a hung parliament.

Labor certainly hopes that’s the case.

In many seats, LNP preferences won’t be distributed because the party will finish first or second.

And in eight seats where the LNP isn’t preferencing One Nation – particularly Logan and Thuringowa – it might help sitting Labor MPs get elected.

LNP leader Tim Nicholls (centre) with (from left) the Member for Mansfield Ian Walker, Member for Indooroopilly Scott Emerson, Member for Moggill Dr Christian Rowan and the Member for Mt Ommaney Tarnya Smith. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

The real risk with Nicholls’ preferencing strategy is the impact on urban voters, given that 11 marginal LNP seats are in southeast Queensland.

And the prospect of a Nicholls’ government propped up by an oddball crossbench may tip some of these in Labor’s favour.

In 1998, Labor won Mansfield and Mt Ommaney from the Liberals. At this election these electorates are the LNP’s most marginal southeast corner seats.

Could history be about to repeat?

Originally published as Queensland election 2017 analysis: Farcical scenes from One Nation reminiscent of 1998