Pauline Hanson's One Nation party is making a strategic push into the Australian Capital Territory, with plans to officially launch a Canberra branch later this month. The far-right populist movement aims to capitalize on growing discontent among conservative voters who feel abandoned by the Liberal Party.
Capitalizing on Conservative Discontent
One Nation NSW Senator Sean Bell revealed the party's territorial ambitions, telling The Canberra Times that many conservative Australians in Canberra feel let down by the Liberal Party. According to Senator Bell, these voters perceive the Liberals as having become a carbon copy of the Labor Party and are actively seeking alternative leadership.
The party plans to run candidates in every ACT lower house seat and contest Senate positions at the next federal election. This move comes as One Nation experiences what Senator Bell describes as an explosion of growth and membership support across the country since the May federal election, including substantial growth in Canberra.
Breaking into Labor and Independent Strongholds
The challenge ahead is significant. The ACT federal seats of Fenner and Canberra remain safe Labor territory, while Bean has become a contest between Labor and independent candidate Jessie Price. The territory's two Senate seats are firmly held by Labor Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and independent senator David Pocock.
However, Senator Bell points to encouraging signs for conservative alternatives. In the federal election, conservative voters in Canberra's north backed former Liberal MLA turned Family First candidate Elizabeth Kikkert in Fenner, where she won almost 8 percent of the primary vote.
Nationally, One Nation attracted 6.4 percent of the primary vote in the May election, but recent polling suggests their support has surged to a record high of 12 percent according to the Resolve Political Monitor.
Policy Positions Driving Canberra Support
While Canberrans have a reputation as politically progressive environmentalists, Senator Bell says the party's head office is hearing from residents concerned about the federal government's net zero policies. Other issues resonating with potential supporters include mass immigration, cultural issues, protecting the Australian flag, and standing up for Australian values.
Housing affordability has also emerged as a significant concern among One Nation supporters in the nation's capital, according to Senator Bell.
The party's national membership has doubled since the federal election, though Senator Bell declined to provide specific figures. He confirmed that One Nation now believes it has enough members in Canberra to achieve party registration, which requires signatures from 100 ACT voters.
Looking beyond federal politics, Senator Bell indicated that One Nation also wants to contest territory elections, potentially targeting the seat of Brindabella. He expressed confidence that under the Hare-Clark system, there are plenty of opportunities for One Nation to get involved and shake things up.
The official Canberra branch launch will be held at 6pm on November 27, 2025, at the Majura Bar and Grill, marking a significant expansion of the party's presence in Australia's political heartland.
