One Nation leader Pauline Hanson CHANGES the name of her party: ‘Defining moment for the movement’
Pauline Hanson has officially changed the name of her party in a move that sets it up to continue on even after the 71-year-old leader’s retirement.
Previously called ‘Pauline Hanson’s One Nation’, the name of the Queensland senator and party founder has now been removed from the title, leaving it simply as ‘One Nation’.
In a statement released on Monday, the party claimed the change was part of a ‘renewed focus’ on putting Australia – and Australians – first.
‘The decision marks a defining moment for the movement, reaffirming its identity as a voice for ordinary Australians who value fairness, sovereignty, and unity,’ a party statement said on Monday.
‘The rebranding reinforces One Nation’s commitment to restoring trust in politics, protecting Australian values, and continuing the fight for everyday Australians across every state and territory.
‘With this announcement, Senator Pauline Hanson is once again reminding the country that One Nation stands stronger than ever: one voice, one people, one nation.’
Support for One Nation, which has four senators in parliament, has nearly doubled in less than a year.
Newspoll, which surveyed 1,264 voters between September 29 and October 2, found the primary vote for One Nation had risen to 11 per cent earlier this month, reflecting public concern about record levels of immigration.
Senator Pauline Hanson (pictured) has officially changed the name of her party
The level of poll support was almost double the party’s vote share at the May 3 election and surged to its highest level since 2017.
One Nation’s change of name also comes as rumours have circulated over whether former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce could be tipped to contest a Senate spot for One Nation and eventually succeed Sen. Hanson as the party’s leader.
Joyce announced on October 18 that he will not contest his federal seat of New England at the next election – less than six months after he was re-elected, citing an irreparably broken relationship with the party leadership.
In an interview with Sunrise host Nat Barr following his announcement, he was asked whether he intends to lead One Nation.
‘Has Pauline Hanson tapped you on the shoulder to lead One Nation?’ Barr asked.
‘No! You amaze me. I spoke to Pauline maybe one-and-a-half months ago briefly,’ Joyce said.
‘I did ring her last night because, seeing they are talking about us, we may as well speak to each other rather than through the media.
‘Said g’day and there was nothing locked-in, nothing. I’ve gone from not even in a matter of minutes, resigned from the Nationals, joined One Nation which I haven’t done, and then leading One Nation.’
Newspoll, which surveyed 1,264 voters between September 29 and October 2, found the primary vote for One Nation had risen to 11 per cent earlier this month
The One Nation Party was founded by Senator Pauline Hanson alongside David Ettridge and David Oldfield (Pictured, Pauline Hanson (R) and David Oldfield (L) in Ipswich)
Only days before his announcement, Joyce had spoken to Seven’s Sunrise about why some conservative voters appeared to be abandoning the Coalition for One Nation.
The former Nationals leader said it was part of a global phenomenon in which newer populist parties of the right gain support at the expense of longstanding centre-right parties due to frustration grows over mass immigration and resultant shortages and cultural change.
‘This is what you are seeing around the world with Nigel Farage in England, Marine Le Pen in France … the Republicans,’ he said.
‘But the Labor Party shouldn’t get too carried away.’
Hanson has previously said Joyce’s decision to quit the Nationals reflected a broader trend away from the country’s major political parties, with Labor and the Coalition getting only two-thirds of the primary vote between them at this year’s election.
‘There’s a movement that’s happening in Australia,’ she told reporters at a press conference on October 18.
‘The general feeling I’m getting is people are fed up with the major political parties, they’re not delivering what they want.’
One Nation was founded by Hanson alongside David Ettridge and David Oldfield in 1997 after she was initially pre-selected as the Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Oxley but later disendorsed.
Hanson and Ettridge were then jailed in August 2003 after they were found guilty of fraudulently registering One Nation in the District Court of Queensland.
Hanson spent 11 weeks in jail awaiting an appeal, and the pair were eventually acquitted, and their convictions were overturned.
