Guardian Australia traveled to Pakenham, one of the electorates One Nation is targeting in the Victorian state election, to see how Pauline Hanson's controversial National Press Club speech resonated with voters. The seat, held by Labor on a razor-thin margin of 0.4%, is considered classic One Nation territory by pollsters.
Hanson's Press Club Speech
In her first appearance at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Hanson declared Australia must exist as a “monocultural society,” claimed migration was too high, argued against paid parental leave, and said “too much money” was going to childcare workers' wages. The speech sparked debate about the party's direction.
Pakenham: A Key Battleground
Pakenham, south-east of Melbourne, is one of the most marginal state electorates in Victoria. The sitting Labor MP, Emma Vulin, will not recontest due to illness, with 23-year-old Alessandra Soliven preselected as the Labor candidate. Former Labor strategist Kos Samaras described the area as “classic One Nation territory,” noting working-class pockets are being “pummelled” by cost-of-living pressures.
Voter Reactions
Most residents had caught snippets of Hanson's speech on social media or radio news. Here's what they said:
- Chris Coomber, 52: The steelworker plans to vote for One Nation. “They just say what they feel. No bullshit. I mean, she [Hanson] probably lies like the rest of them do. But I haven't voted in 12 years. Don't trust any of them.” He cited migration, crime, and over-investment in infrastructure as fueling distrust.
- Victoria Oh, 38: Oh called Hanson “racist” and said cutting migration would be “a big loss to the Australian economy.” She disagreed with Hanson's claim that childcare workers are overpaid, stating they “deserve as much as they can get.”
- Rochelle Bennett, 30: Bennett described voting as “trying to pick the better of two evils.” She supported “a little bit of a crackdown on immigration” but found Hanson's Uluru comments “crazy.” She noted Australia has always been multicultural.
- Tara Coles, 42: Coles said One Nation “make a lot of sense,” praising Hanson's honesty. She believes migration levels are linked to housing scarcity, saying “I know people that are borderline homeless now.”
- Katrina, 72: Katrina, who withheld her last name, called Hanson “racist” and said “we'd be going backwards if we elected her.” She added, “I don't have time for her.”
- Sam Mukherjee, 47: Mukherjee said One Nation is “giving a good fight to Labor” but lacks concrete fiscal plans. He supported planned migration and said he would consider voting for the party if they present a good plan.
Impact on the Victorian Election
One Nation has been polling strongly in Pakenham and across Melbourne's outer south-east. The party's focus on cost-of-living pressures and cultural issues appears to resonate with some voters frustrated with major parties. However, others remain skeptical of Hanson's divisive rhetoric. With the state election in November, the seat remains a key battleground.
