One Nation is seeking to establish a permanent presence in the federal electorate of Cunningham, following the formation of a local branch. Executive member John Adams, a former Liberal Party member and senior adviser to Senator Arthur Sinodinos, said the branch's first meeting on Sunday at the Bulli Workers Club attracted 107 attendees.
Mr Adams described the shift away from major parties as structural rather than cyclical, contrary to the views of some local Liberals. He noted that the Liberal Party is "basically non-existent" in Cunningham and that Labor is also unpopular, creating an opportunity for One Nation to build a lasting foothold.
Cunningham is the second Illawarra federal electorate to establish a One Nation branch, following Whitlam. The party also has a branch in the South Coast seat of Gilmore. Mr Adams said the attendees at the first meeting included a cross-section of people, including retirees, small-business owners, and skilled professionals, challenging stereotypes about One Nation supporters.
Mr Adams left the Liberal Party in 2016 and joined One Nation because he felt the major parties had taken Australia "on a wrong path." He expressed frustration with the country's direction in terms of living conditions and the economy.
At the 2025 federal election, Labor's Alison Byrnes retained Cunningham with 44% of the primary vote, while the One Nation candidate received 7%. Mr Adams declined to predict whether the party aims to unseat Labor, stating it is "too early to say where this is going" but describing the start as "very promising."
