A resurgent One Nation: Australia's political landscape shifts amid rising patriotism and government scrutiny

In the wake of a tumultuous 2025, Australia's political scene is undergoing a profound transformation. Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, long a fringe voice on the right, has surged in popularity, overtaking the Liberal-National Coalition in recent polls and tapping into a growing wave of patriotism and calls for ‘common sense’ politics. This shift comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Government, fresh off a landslide re-election victory in May 2025, faces mounting scrutiny over its handling of the recent Bondi terror attack. 

Labor's 2025 triumph and the post-election reality 

The federal election on May 3, 2025, delivered a resounding mandate to Labor, with the party securing 94 seats in the House of Representatives - the highest tally for any single party in Australian history. This victory expanded Labor's majority from 77 seats, while the Coalition plummeted to 43 seats, its worst performance in decades. Albanese's win defied pre-election polls that suggested a closer race or even a minority government, marking him as the first prime minister in two decades to secure consecutive terms. 

Yet, just eight months later, the political winds have shifted dramatically. Recent opinion polls paint a picture of voter disillusionment with the major parties. A News poll published in ‘The Australian’ on January 19, 2026, showed One Nation's primary vote at a record 22%, edging out the Coalition at 21%, with Labor at 32%. Other surveys indicate One Nation tied with the Coalition at 23%, reflecting a swing of nearly 17% toward Hanson's party since the election. Even Prime Minister Albanese has described the surge as "worrying”, highlighting a broader erosion of support for established parties. 

The Bondi terror attack: A catalyst for change 

The turning point appears to be the horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, during a Hanukkah celebration. The incident, which claimed multiple lives and injured dozens, has been labeled a "terrorist attack" and sparked intense debate over national security, immigration and government response. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accused the government of a "partisan pile-on" in its handling, while the government hit back, criticising Ley for making "political points" in the tragedy's aftermath. 

This event has fuelled a broader sentiment of patriotism and a ‘one flag’ mentality, with many Australians rallying around national unity and traditional values. One Nation, known for its anti-immigration stance and emphasis on ‘Australian first’ policies, has capitalised on this mood. Hanson has openly stated her ambition to position her party as a viable government alternative, declaring in interviews that she aims to build One Nation into a major force. Polls suggest that up to one in three former Coalition voters have switched to One Nation, drawn to its ‘common sense’ approach on issues like border security and cultural identity. 

A broader shift: Patriotism and the fracturing of the right 

This resurgence of One Nation reflects a deeper cultural shift toward patriotism, often framed as a rejection of ‘woke’ policies and a return to national pride. Terms like ‘one flag mentality’ resonate in discussions around indigenous recognition, immigration and foreign policy, echoing Hanson's long-standing rhetoric. However, not all polls agree on One Nation's lead; some surveys show the Coalition still ahead, suggesting the surge may be poll-specific or temporary. 

Public fury has erupted over the government's blatant, divisive ploy to shove three flags - the national flag alongside the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags - at every official event, as if one proud Australian flag isn't enough to unite us all! This is nothing short of an insult to every true-blue Aussie who loves this country. It's a deliberate attempt to fracture our nation, to make us feel like strangers in our own land.  

Enough is enough! Australians are sick to death of this identity politics nonsense - there is only one flag that represents us all: the Australian National Flag! Anything else is pure division, pure betrayal of the unity our diggers fought and died for. 

The rage doesn't stop there. We're demanding an end to the endless attacks on Australia Day - bring it back to January 26 as it always was, full-throated, unapologetic and proud! No more grovelling, no more name changes, no more activist-driven guilt trips. Fresh polling from the Institute of Public Affairs shows a massive surge: 76% of Australians now back keeping the traditional date, up from 69% last year, with young people aged 18-24 leading the charge at an incredible 83%! The debate is over - ordinary Aussies have had enough of the woke war on our national day. Restore it properly or get out of the way! 

And let's be crystal clear on immigration: we're fed up with importing people who refuse to assimilate, who show zero respect for our culture, our values, our way of life. Pauline Hanson has nailed it - too many of these newcomers "don't want to assimilate, have no time for Australia and hate our culture, our Western civilisation". It's time to act decisively: deport those who won't integrate, slam the gates on those who bring division and prioritise only those who genuinely want to become part of one nation, under one flag. Anything less is selling out our kids' future! 

Analysts warn that this fragmentation on the right could benefit Labor in the long term, as divided conservative votes might secure Albanese another term. Yet, with 42% of voters now supporting parties outside Labor or the Coalition, the two-party system faces unprecedented pressure. As one commentator noted, the real story is how ongoing controversies are undermining major parties, paving the way for populists like Hanson. 

While Labor remains in power and ahead on a two-party preferred basis (52-48 in recent polls), the rise of One Nation signals a volatile future. Australians are increasingly demanding accountability on security and national identity - demands that could reshape the nation's political identity in the years ahead. 

Happy Days! 

Chameleon