One Nation support in Queensland has surged to make Pauline Hanson the preferred prime minister in the state, while the party has also overtaken Labor in New South Wales, according to the latest quarterly analysis of Newspoll data.
One Nation was the top choice of 36 per cent of Queensland voters. Labor followed on 25 per cent, with the Coalition on 19 per cent.
Asked to choose between Ms Hanson and Labor leader Anthony Albanese as prime minister, 52 per cent of Queenslanders backed the One Nation leader. Queensland was the only state in which Ms Hanson led Mr Albanese on the question.
The party’s primary vote in New South Wales stood at 31 per cent, narrowly ahead of Labor on 30 per cent and well above the Coalition’s 17 per cent.
Nationally, One Nation also recorded the highest primary support, on 30 per cent, followed by Labor on 29 per cent and the Coalition on 19 per cent. The Greens were on 13 per cent, while nine per cent supported other minor parties and independents.
One Nation’s support rose sharply compared with the same period last year, covering the period from July 13 to September 18. Its vote in Queensland rose from the previous year by 26 per cent to 36 per cent, while support increased by 21 per cent in New South Wales to 31 per cent.
The party’s support also rose to 31 per cent in South Australia, 29 per cent in Western Australia and 25 per cent in Victoria. Over the same period, Labor’s primary vote in Queensland fell by 30 per cent to 25 per cent.
Albanese retains national lead over Hanson
Despite Ms Hanson’s strength in Queensland, Mr Albanese remained ahead nationally as preferred prime minister, leading her by 56 per cent to 44 per cent.
When Coalition leader Angus Taylor was included in the question, Mr Albanese received 46 per cent, followed by Ms Hanson on 31 per cent and Mr Taylor on 23 per cent.
Ms Hanson’s weakest result was in Victoria, where 39 per cent preferred her to Mr Albanese. In Queensland, however, Mr Taylor led Mr Albanese by 44 per cent to 35 per cent when Ms Hanson was excluded.
Mr Albanese’s net approval rating was recorded at minus 22, down 21 per cent on last year. Fifty-nine per cent of voters said they were dissatisfied with his performance, compared with 37 per cent who were satisfied and four per cent who were uncommitted.
A senior Coalition source said One Nation now posed a threat to several traditionally safe seats in Victoria and New South Wales, ahead of state elections in November and March respectively.
“Everyone will be watching the Victorian and NSW state elections to see how the Nationals go,” the source said.
“There is serious worry that the NSW Nationals will be wiped off the map in March. Defending those traditionally safe federal seats in Queensland will be tough for Matt Canavan. If the One Nation vote holds up, they could lose the lot.”
The results will also be watched ahead of Queensland’s state election in October 2028, where One Nation has recorded its biggest rise in support.
