Voters in North Queensland Express Mixed Views on Pauline Hanson’s Policy Proposals
Constituents in North Queensland are showing a divided response to the policy proposals put forth by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. While some are embracing her platform, others are rejecting it outright. This comes as a political analyst characterizes Senator Hanson’s approach as a deliberate embrace of populism.
One Nation Eyes 2028 Queensland Election
Looking ahead, One Nation has signaled its intention to field candidates in every electorate for the upcoming 2028 Queensland state election. The party appears to be gaining traction, with a significant number of individuals in North Queensland expressing a willingness to support Pauline Hanson, a figure described by a Queensland political analyst as a “populist.” Recent polling data suggests this strategy may be proving effective.
Maxine Newlands, a political analyst from James Cook University, has observed that One Nation is “definitely in the ascendancy.” She attributes this rise partly to voter dissatisfaction with the major political parties, noting that people are turning to One Nation and other minor parties due to unhappiness with the established political landscape.
Queensland holds historical significance for One Nation, as it was in this state that the party first achieved notable success, securing 11 seats in the 1998 state election. More recently, in the 2025 Hinchinbrook state by-election, held north of Townsville, One Nation saw its vote share nearly triple, increasing by 8.9 percentage points to reach 13.5 percent.
Supportive Voices Emerge
Senator Hanson recently received a warm reception during a visit to Townsville, where she met with mining billionaire Gina Rinehart. Among those expressing support was local resident Lauren Mylonas, who stated her desire for Senator Hanson to challenge the major political parties. “She seems to be on the right track to get things going properly for Australia,” Ms. Mylonas commented. “She can be over the top with some things. You can’t say a lot of the things she says are OK but the majority of it sounds like she knows what she’s talking about.”
Marcia Hogan, Ms. Mylonas’s sister, shared a similar sentiment. “She’s very down to earth and I think she’ll do the country great,” Ms. Hogan remarked.
William McGann, who recently relocated to Townsville from the United Kingdom, described Senator Hanson as a “breath of fresh air.” He stated, “From what I’ve seen on TV about Pauline Hanson, she’s a very sensible politician.” Mr. McGann further elaborated on Senator Hanson’s “common-sense attitude,” saying, “She doesn’t mess about. She knows what people want. She’s not interested in making people appreciate her just for the sake of it. She wants what’s right for the people. She’s a breath of fresh air because most politicians now, they just want to serve themselves. She seems to be serving the people. I hope she goes a long way.”
Criticism and Concerns Raised
However, not all residents share these positive views. Several small business owners in Townsville expressed reservations about speaking publicly on the matter, citing concerns about potential backlash. Environmental scientist Jai Kaartinen-Price indicated that his opinions are largely shaped by information encountered on social media.
“I certainly wouldn’t like to see her get into power or have any major influence,” Mr. Kaartinen-Price stated. “From what I can gather, she’s not really likely to benefit people in my demographic, or the country.” He cautioned against the tendency to attribute problems to minority groups, emphasizing that “most of the time, problems are complex and nuanced.” Mr. Kaartinen-Price added, “Her whole political strategy is divisive as far as I can tell. It seems to be in line with the populist politics that have been gaining popularity over the last … decade or so.”
Hanson Responds to Political Landscape
Despite the gains seen in the Hinchinbrook by-election, Senator Hanson suggested it was premature to assess whether Queensland Premier David Crisafulli should be concerned about One Nation’s growing presence. “I don’t think he’s got anything to worry about at the moment. He’s got another two and a half years until the next election,” Senator Hanson responded. “But, come the next state election, I will be standing candidates in every state seat.”
She asserted that a shift is occurring, with voters increasingly making independent decisions and considering her policy agenda. “People in north Queensland feel forgotten in many areas,” Senator Hanson observed. “People are starting to say they want change and they don’t like the direction the country is going. People want to be heard.”
Discontent Fuels Political Shifts
Senator Hanson recently addressed the National Press Club, where she unveiled a 28-page manifesto. Dr. Newlands characterized the address as “very Trumpian.” She noted, “Apparently, she’d been invited numerous times to talk at the Press Club but has always declined and has now decided to take it. It’s all part of this new shift, which is definitely leaning into populism and … not backing down from very strong policies around migration and other areas.”
