Australia’s far-right party continues to gain ground, winning a seat in the western state
Australia’s far-right One Nation party has secured a seat in a state parliament that was previously dominated by the center-left Labor Party led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This victory marks a continuation of the populist group’s momentum, having recently achieved its first seat in the national lower house.
Gym owner Luke Herdegen achieved a major milestone for One Nation by securing the party’s first lower house seat in the Western Australia parliament, according to an official tally released on Sunday. He claimed a seat in the state capital, Perth, which had been under Labor’s control for decades.
In June, for the first time, One Nation, under the leadership of Senator Pauline Hanson, surpassed Labor in a national opinion poll, following its initial victory in securing a seat in the federal House of Representatives.
Founded in 1997, One Nation has historically been on the political fringe; however, its stringent stance on immigration has garnered increased support due to public dissatisfaction with housing shortages, rising living expenses, and a general decline in backing for Australia’s major parties.
The result highlights the challenge One Nation presents to Australia’s primary center-left and center-right parties as it transforms increasing poll numbers into seats, elevating the stakes ahead of an election in Victoria state later this year.
Tanya Plibersek, a senior federal Labor minister, stated in televised remarks that Herdegen’s victory indicated her party should “consider what additional steps we need to take to convey that the Labor Party is the sole party dedicated to genuine delivery to alleviate pressure on everyday Australians.
Herdegen stated late on Saturday that his victory in the Perth suburb of Secret Harbor conveyed a “giant message” to Labor in Western Australia and across the nation. “It sends a message that there are no safe labor seats in this state or in this country,” he remarked in comments aired by News24.
Herdegen secured victory against a Labor newcomer, garnering 57% of the vote in the by-election following the resignation of longtime incumbent Paul Papalia, who cited a family medical issue. The constituency, which has undergone changes in boundaries and names throughout the years, has been held by Labor since 1989.
