Guardian Essential poll: voters reject key One Nation policies as support slips
Guardian AU
β’Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:36:14 GMT
π° What Happened
The latest Guardian Essential poll, conducted after Pauline Hanson's controversial National Press Club address, revealed that One Nation's primary vote had slipped two points to 26%, down from 28% the previous month. Labor's primary vote ticked up one point to 30%, while the Coalition remained on 23%. The poll of 1,017 voters found that Australians have emphatically rejected key One Nation policies, including shutting down SBS and ending multiculturalism. More than half of respondents doubted whether One Nation had the skills necessary to run the country, and concerns were raised about Hanson's closeness to billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart. Despite these reservations, more than half of respondents said they were either definitely or at least considering voting for One Nation at the next election.
π The Backstory
Pauline Hanson's One Nation has experienced a resurgence in 2025-26, capitalising on voter frustration with the major parties over cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, and immigration. Hanson's National Press Club address in late June 2026 was a pivotal moment, subjecting her party to intense scrutiny. The Guardian Essential poll is one of several regular polling instruments tracking Australian political sentiment, alongside Newspoll, Redbridge, and Roy Morgan.
π― Why It Matters
The poll reveals a complex and potentially volatile political landscape where voters reject One Nation's policies while still expressing openness to voting for the party. This paradox suggests deep voter dissatisfaction with the major parties that transcends policy alignment, posing significant strategic challenges for Labor and the Coalition heading into the next election.
The latest Guardian Essential poll, conducted after Pauline Hanson's controversial National Press Club address, revealed that One Nation's primary vote had slipped two points to 26%, down from 28% the previous month. Labor's primary vote ticked up one point to 30%, while the Coalition remained on 23%. The poll of 1,017 voters found that Australians have emphatically rejected key One Nation policies, including shutting down SBS and ending multiculturalism. More than half of respondents doubted whether One Nation had the skills necessary to run the country, and concerns were raised about Hanson's closeness to billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart. Despite these reservations, more than half of respondents said they were either definitely or at least considering voting for One Nation at the next election.
Pauline Hanson's One Nation has experienced a resurgence in 2025-26, capitalising on voter frustration with the major parties over cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, and immigration. Hanson's National Press Club address in late June 2026 was a pivotal moment, subjecting her party to intense scrutiny. The Guardian Essential poll is one of several regular polling instruments tracking Australian political sentiment, alongside Newspoll, Redbridge, and Roy Morgan.
The poll reveals a complex and potentially volatile political landscape where voters reject One Nation's policies while still expressing openness to voting for the party. This paradox suggests deep voter dissatisfaction with the major parties that transcends policy alignment, posing significant strategic challenges for Labor and the Coalition heading into the next election.