.
Pauline Hanson has delivered a message to conservative voters: abandon the Coalition.
And a message to the Coalition: call me if you need help forming government.
Australian politics, where you can apparently dump someone and still offer to help them move into the Lodge.
At Brisbane’s Conservative Political Action Conference, Hanson criticised the Liberals over their climate commitments and their role in creating the eSafety Commissioner.
But she also said One Nation would work with the Liberals and Nationals to remove Labor.
She later clarified that she meant confidence and supply, rather than a formal coalition.
That means potentially helping a government survive parliamentary confidence votes and pass its budget, without joining its cabinet.
Basically: “I’ll help keep the lights on, but I’m not putting my name on the lease.”
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor acknowledged past Coalition mistakes, including signing up to net zero.
It was a political confession delivered to an audience Hanson was also trying to recruit.
So the Coalition’s pitch was: we’ve learned our lesson.
One Nation’s pitch was: why give them another lesson when you could elect us?
Behind the theatre is a serious contest for conservative voters.
Hanson wants to convince people that One Nation offers a stronger alternative. Taylor needs to persuade them that the Coalition can deliver government.
Those ambitions collide during an election campaign, but could become compatible afterwards if neither party has enough seats.
My view? Voters deserve to know what cooperation would actually cost.
What policies would One Nation demand? Which would the Coalition accept? And where would either side draw the line?
Agreement about removing Labor tells us who they oppose. It doesn’t tell us how they would govern.
Because choosing a government requires more than agreeing who should leave.
Otherwise, it’s less a policy platform and more a very angry eviction notice.
Craig Hill is a Brisbane-based author, journalist, teacher, business consultant and social justice campaigner. He is the General Manager of the Australian Book and Language Studio.
Please check out our online shop where you can buy all our Doctor Who books as paperbacks or eBooks.
I hate to ask, but I need your help. For some time now, I have been bringing you video Q&A sessions with politicians and political commentators, as well as my own news and political commentary. However, the production costs are considerable, so I am asking if you can donate a small amount to assist. Click below to read more.
Follow Me on Social Media
Discover more from Craig Hill Media and Business Services
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.