Senior Liberal Party of Australia figures have refused to rule out a future governing arrangement with One Nation following the minor party’s historic byelection victory in Farrer.
One Nation candidate David Farley secured the rural New South Wales seat, ending the Coalition’s 77-year hold on the electorate previously held by former Liberal leader Sussan Ley.
Speaking to the ABC, Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson suggested he would not dismiss the possibility of One Nation joining a Coalition arrangement.
“My objective is to make sure that the Liberal Party is in a position to govern as strongly as possible,” Wilson said.
“Of course we traditionally form a coalition with the National Party, but it’s up to the Australian people to decide who they want to vote for.
“But I can tell you quite clearly my objective is to make sure that Liberals beat One Nation candidates.”
The result has intensified pressure on the Coalition after the Liberals secured just 12.6 per cent of the vote in Farrer, while the Nationals received 9.76 per cent. One Nation led independent Michelle Milthorpe by 7.3 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.
Nationals MP David Littleproud described the result as “a good old-fashioned flogging”.
“You’ve got to face into it, and understand that the people of Farrer are sending a message,” he said.
Littleproud argued the Coalition lost support after abandoning key policies following last year’s federal election defeat.
“What happened is Pauline Hanson, a canny politician for 30 years, walked in and took up that space, and stood for much of the values we fight for,” he said.
Political commentators said the result highlighted growing pressure on the Liberal Party from both One Nation on the right and climate-focused independents and Labor in metropolitan areas.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers predicted the Coalition may eventually be forced into a partnership with One Nation.
“What it shows is the Coalition can’t beat One Nation, so they will have to join them,” Chalmers said.
“It’s hard to imagine a future coalition government that doesn’t have One Nation in it.”
Source: 9News.
