In times of uncertainty, political authenticity cuts through.
It’s why Pauline Hanson is doing so well in the current climate and masters of spin — Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor — look to voters like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumber.
People can read there’s a war in the Middle East and only a handful of oil shipments are making it through the Strait of Hormuz when the world needs more than 100 million barrels a day to meet global demand.
They are voting with their jerry cans, even as Labor rolls out a paternalistic ad campaign gaslighting anyone who dares to fill up.
In this context, Australians don’t want more politics as usual. They are under extreme pressure and are turning to One Nation in droves.
Pauline Hanson has been in politics for as long as the Prime Minister, both having been elected for the first time in 1996.
Compare the pair. One has grown grey and policy flabby, mouthing meaningless platitudes while the other still has red hair, is true to her own policy compass and calls it as she sees it.
Many rightfully disagree with Hanson’s policy prescriptions, but dismissing former Coalition voters — and increasingly, former Labor voters — as ignorant or redneck misses the three driving forces behind One Nation’s sustained rise.
The first is Pauline. She is strong-willed and authentic. She offers voters clear choice.
She may have been elected at the same time as Albo but has won and lost, been to jail, let down by nearly all around her, yet voters are backing her and her party like never before.
The second is James Ashby, her clear-headed chief of staff who is building out a modern political machine behind Hanson. Ashby is bringing professionalism to One Nation.
Recruiting Barnaby Joyce was also a political master stroke, as was getting a parliamentary foothold larger than the Liberals in South Australia, confirming that professional transformation.
The third is the paucity of authenticity from the Federal leaders of Labor and the Coalition.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan is performing well, but his appeal is limited to his party’s constituency. It’s Liberal and Labor voters switching off Albanese and Taylor to Hanson that’s driving the vote.
Albanese isn’t liked or trusted by voters and leads Labor with a record low primary vote. Taylor is doing no better than Sussan Ley.
In this context, is it any wonder what looks like the real deal in Hanson is so compelling to voters?
Her authenticity is in such stark contrast to Albanese’s excuse for everything, answer for nothing spin.
Hanson is a survivor and setbacks have steeled her for her current push.
The times suit authentic leaders and Hanson has grabbed the political opportunity of the moment.
Cameron Milner is former Queensland Labor secretary.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/federal-politics/cameron-milner-pauline-hansons-authenticity-is-winning-voters-over-like-never-before-c-22135291
