The death of former Senator Ron Boswell in January has left the challenge of countering the rising influence of Pauline Hanson and her One Nation party to his political protégé, Matt Canavan, the recent leader of the Nationals.
Boswell’s Legacy and the Challenge of One Nation
Boswell, who served as a Senator for Queensland from 1983 to 2014, famously declared during a 2001 campaign, “He’s not pretty, but he’s pretty effective.” This message resonated with voters as he successfully defended his senate seat against Hanson. Former Queensland Liberal George Brandis famously described Boswell as having “the appearance of an unmade bed.”
Boswell himself considered defeating Hanson in her initial rise to prominence as his greatest political achievement, recognizing her “aggressive, narrow view of Australia” as a significant force in Australian politics.
Canavan’s Approach and Potential Pitfalls
Canavan has already begun to engage with Hanson directly, criticizing her views and highlighting what he perceives as a lack of concrete policy proposals from One Nation. He recently labeled her comments regarding Australians linked to the terror group IS as “un-Australian.”
Boswell’s advice on dealing with One Nation was clear: avoid preference deals, as they can alienate conservative voters and send support to the Labor party. He believed One Nation’s policies were “a hot mess of grievance and ideology.”
However, the political landscape has shifted since Boswell’s time. Politics is now more fragmented, and the dominance of major parties is less secure. Recent polls indicate One Nation’s support has risen to as high as 28% nationally, while the Coalition’s primary vote has dropped to 26%.
The Road Ahead
The South Australian state election will serve as an early test of Hanson’s ability to translate polling numbers into actual electoral success. Canavan’s success in countering One Nation could be complicated by his own views on issues like climate change, which are out of step with mainstream Australia. His criticism of Barnaby Joyce, who has now joined One Nation, further complicates the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Ron Boswell’s approach to dealing with Pauline Hanson?
Boswell believed the key to defeating One Nation was to portray the party as ineffective and to avoid preference deals that could send voters to the Labor party.
What is Matt Canavan’s current strategy for countering One Nation?
Canavan is directly engaging with Hanson, criticizing her views and highlighting what he claims is a lack of concrete policy proposals from One Nation.
How has One Nation’s support changed recently?
One Nation’s support has been rising, reaching as high as 28% nationally, while the Coalition’s primary vote has decreased to 26%.
Given these shifting dynamics, will Canavan be able to effectively capture disaffected conservative voters and prove his effectiveness against One Nation?
