Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has drawn criticism after telling Labor supporters they “owe it to history” to defeat One Nation, after Pauline Hanson’s party secured a significant electoral victory in Labor’s Western Australia heartland.
Speaking at Queensland Labor’s state conference on Sunday, Albanese described the international rise of right-wing populism as “dangerous, divisive and downright dishonest” and accused One Nation of bending facts, spreading misinformation and turning “Australian against Australian”. “We simply must defeat them. We owe it to history. And we will defeat them,” he said.
The comments followed One Nation’s victory over Labor in the Secret Harbour by-election, a result that increased scrutiny of the minor party’s growing support. Albanese’s speech prompted criticism online, with one commenter arguing that “the rise of One Nation is because of Labor”, while others said the government should focus on understanding why voters were shifting their support rather than attacking the party attracting them. Another response mocked Labor’s record on political promises: “Here comes all the promises again, my word is my bond.”
Albanese had also faced criticism during the Secret Harbour campaign for not visiting the electorate, despite being in Western Australia.
WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas responded with a “Where’s Albo?” campaign stunt modelled on Where’s Wally? Albanese defended his absence by saying he did not campaign in state by-elections and accused the Liberals of promoting One Nation. The Secret Harbour result and subsequent reaction to his speech have nevertheless intensified debate over how Labor should respond to One Nation’s increasing electoral support.
One Nation has won the Secret Harbour state by-election in Perth’s south. Gym owner Luke Herdegen will represent the party in Western Australia’s lower house, winning the seat which was previously held by Labor on an 11.5 per cent margin. pic.twitter.com/g2VApniJko
— casey briggs (@CaseyBriggs) August 29, 2026
The Australian people want hope, and they want someone who will fight for them.
I give you my oath, I am trying to get the right people on the floor of parliament to take back this country.
Tonight One Nation and Secret Harbour are sending a message to Anthony Albanese.… pic.twitter.com/zBRPzYVXOk
— Pauline Hanson 🇦🇺 (@PaulineHansonOz) August 29, 2026
“I am trying to get the right people on the floor of parliament to take back this country” said Ms Hanson. (trust me bro)
How about the people of Australia select the ‘right people’ from their own communities to represent them instead, Ms Hanson.
My vote is for Pauline Hanson and her one nation party.
For too long the west has ignored the males suicide rate. 7 Men a day commit suicide in Australia. Mostly contributed to Family Court. Thats more than one male suicide every four hours. 2,555 per year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaz4NZGJzZo
Hanson stance on overwhelming immigration has some merit. One look at what has happened to the UK and Europe. Moderation is the key. Willingness to assimilate into weston culture and not bring conflicting traditions with them.
Party politics is the problem – not the solution. Australia is another country that needs Direct Democracy, let the voters and citizens make the decisions not a bunch of (s)elected “officials”.
Here is an important message to everyone involved in the fake democracy party politics scam…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxikc6nJiA4
Ah yes Switzerland, the home of Davos, being sent to the clink for not towing the woke keep your trap shut line. Oh and don’t litter or you will get a massive fine. Migrant workers are often allowed to stay only until they are old and then they have to leave (thanks for all those taxes and the pension we wont be paying you).
All that said nice idea but the real problem is the lack of maturity in New Zealand. Politically, publicly socially and more. We are just not at a point where we are astute enough, educated enough or frankly smart enough to make good decisions. The average European laughs when they hear we only speak one language and the average IQ in Hong Kong is 110.
I do think its a start having more direct involvement but we have to mature as a society before it will amount to anything.,
Well I guess I can’t argue that the lack of maturity, education, “smarts” and IQ deficiency you describe are a perfect description of you.
Personally speaking I’d put a lot more trust in the “average citizen” than I would in a political party politician. Their track record of lying and deceit is second to none.
But keep looking, one day you might find a political party that doesn’t piss on you and tell you its raining.
Politicians like golden showers
Its describe me, really? Those degrees I have must have been watered down, just for me! Guess when reasoned arguments fail, insults have to suffice. But thanks again for reminding me why I have little time for Joe average Kiwi.
Well you’re stupid enough to think that if a country chose Direct Democracy over the fake democracy party political system that it means a country clones all the Swiss laws and other things that happen in Switzerland.
You gotta admit that’s pretty dumb.
As for your degrees I have no idea if they were watered down for you, but they might just indicate attendance and being able to parrot what you have been told to parrot. Lots of stupid people have degrees.
“the international rise of right-wing populism as “dangerous, divisive and downright dishonest”
Said the party that passed dystopian hate speech laws and ushered in proxy Digital ID’s with its social media ban (censorship) for the young. Are One Nation supporting these things?
Its absurd to call One Nation what Labor could easily be accused of itself.
Albanese don’t you get it, normal people don’t want 3rd world scum coming in, keep those votes coming in.
Thats rich coming from this horrible COMMY