Coalition Rules Out Deal with One Nation Amid Record Fundraising
Quick Look
- Opposition leader Angus Taylor has ruled out a Coalition carve-up of target seats with One Nation, despite the party raising $1.6 million in a day.
- Liberal frontbencher Tony Pasin had suggested working with One Nation, but other senior Liberals rejected the idea.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Liberal frontbencher Tony Pasin suggested the Coalition could work with One Nation to target Labor seats. This proposal comes amid One Nation's successful fundraising efforts and polls indicating increased voter support. However, senior Coalition figures, including Angus Taylor and James Paterson, have rejected the idea of a non-compete agreement.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor has ruled out the Coalition carving up target seats at the next federal election with One Nation as Pauline Hanson's "Fire the Liar" fundraiser brings in $1.6 million in a day.
Liberal frontbencher Tony Pasin has told The Australian newspaper the party could work "hand in glove" with One Nation to target seats each party had a chance of winning from Labor.
Mr Pasin's proposal comes amid One Nation's rapid fundraising effort and multiple polls finding that voters were more likely to vote for One Nation than any other party.
Mr Taylor has previously indicated he is open to working with any party to remove Labor from government, but on Thursday said there was no plan for a non-compete agreement with Senator Hanson's party.
"We won't be doing that."
He said the Coalition would focus its efforts on fighting against the Labor government, adding that "every dollar being raised right now should be focused on beating Labor".
Liberal senator James Paterson also rejected the South Australian MP's proposal, saying it was unclear which candidates and policies One Nation would take to an election in 2028.
He said it was also too early to discuss preference deals with the party.
"I am not interested in dividing the spoils with another political party two years out from the election and frankly hitching our wagon to their brand, with all the risks that that entails," Senator Paterson said.
"Who knows how many of their MPs are going to defect or be found to be invalidly elected between now and then.
"I think the Liberal Party needs to focus on earning back the trust and support of our traditional voters who we've lost, before we contemplate any arrangement with any other party."
Moderate NSW senator Maria Kovacic said her party should focus on defeating Labor and stopping One Nation.
"There is a lot of work ahead of us, but the answer is not to stop contesting seats," she told ABC News.
Nationals senator Bridget Mckenzie also said it was too early to form any agreement.
Overnight, Senator Hanson told a rally in Western Australia that the party would target the seats of Labor ministers, including Tony Burke's electorate of Watson and Chris Bowen's McMahon.
One Nation's website said on Thursday that supporters had raised more than $1.6 million in a day as part of a campaign targeting Labor, titled "Fire the Liar".
The party said the fundraising would go towards advertising to "reach Australians that [Prime Minister Anthony] Albanese ignores".
The website highlights 10 issues that the party said Mr Albanese had lied about including immigration levels, the so-called "ISIS brides" and stage 3 tax cuts.
As One Nation was only halfway to that fundraising figure when Labor's deputy campaign director Jett Fogarty sent an urgent email to supporters calling for $20 donations for its "Victorian Election Fighting Fund".
"I've never seen anything like this," he said.
Mr Fogarty's email said the $600,000 raised in a matter of hours was "on top of the $2 million dollars she has bragged about receiving from wealthy backers".
Despite the emails, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was more worried about the populist party's policies.
"I'm worried about the fact that she proposes no solutions," Senator Wong told Channel Nine.
"But what she does engender … what she does is try and stoke is anger and I don't think that's right for the country."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
One Nation will continue to target Labor seats and leverage its fundraising success in its campaign.
Very likely · Within months
The Coalition will maintain its public stance against a formal deal with One Nation, but internal discussions may continue.
Likely · Within months
Labor will likely increase its focus on countering One Nation's populist messaging and policy critiques.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will One Nation's fundraising translate into significant electoral gains?
- What specific policies will One Nation campaign on in the lead-up to the election?
- Will any Coalition members continue to advocate for a deal with One Nation?
- How will Labor respond to One Nation's 'Fire the Liar' campaign?

