Internal Coalition Tensions Rise
Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has publicly criticized the One Nation party, characterizing it as a “family dynasty” that lacks transparent democratic processes. Her comments, reported by Sky News, mark a significant escalation in the rhetoric between the Coalition and the minor party as political alignments shift ahead of potential electoral challenges.
Senator Price’s remarks follow recent statements by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who suggested her daughter, Lee Hanson, would be instrumental in carrying on her political legacy. When asked for her assessment of the party’s structure, Senator Price contrasted it with the Liberal Party’s internal procedures, stating, “I appreciate the fact that I’m part of a democratic party where we know that it’s a democratic process to elect our leader.”
Electoral Stakes and Shifting Support
The criticism arrives as the Coalition navigates a difficult period, with recent Sky News Pulse/YouGov polling indicating a substantial movement of conservative voters. The data shows the Coalition at 17 percent of the primary vote, while One Nation has surged to 30 percent. Crucially, the polling suggests that 46 percent of voters who supported the Coalition in the 2025 federal election have since shifted their allegiance to One Nation.
Other senior figures in the Coalition have also sharpened their tone. Liberal MP Andrew Hastie recently declared “war” on the minor party, signaling a broader strategic pivot to reclaim the conservative base. Despite the friction, Senator Price maintained that the primary focus of the Coalition should remain on challenging the current Labor government rather than engaging in internal bickering.
The debate highlights the growing anxiety within the Coalition regarding the sustainability of its electoral support and the long-term threat posed by One Nation’s rise, particularly as the latter moves toward solidifying its leadership succession.