One Nation’s ambitious plan to expand its national footprint is currently in disarray, with the party forcing the dissolution and re-establishment of its new branch network. The move comes less than eight months after the party initiated a rollout of branches across every federal electorate, intended to serve as the “engine room of our grassroots movement.”
The restructuring follows an internal review, led by the party’s new general manager, Kelvin Morton, which identified what were described as “significant risks” regarding the legitimacy of existing local branches. According to directives issued in April, many branches were found to have discrepancies in their establishment processes, including missing or incorrectly recorded formal minutes and unvetted committee appointments. The party warned that these administrative oversights could leave branches vulnerable to legal challenges, potentially allowing critical decisions and policy contributions to be overturned.
Tightening Control
The party’s strategy for moving forward involves strict, centralized oversight. New branch committee members are now required to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and adhere to a “media silence” policy. Branches are prohibited from operating independent social media pages and cannot maintain their own bank accounts, with all funds now managed centrally by party headquarters.
The vetting process for committee members has also been formalized under a system known as ONTRACE (One Nation Thorough Record Analysis & Character Evaluation), which includes a 10-year “clean record” test. The party has indicated that results from this evaluation are final and not subject to discussion. All branch communications must now flow through a centrally controlled membership portal and branch meetings cannot be advertised online or on social media without headquarters’ approval.
Did You Know? The party’s new guidelines specify that branch meetings must not be advertised online or on social media; instead, requests to meet must be submitted to headquarters, which then issues invitations through the party’s official system.
Expert Insight: The transition from a decentralized grassroots model to one of rigid, top-down control suggests the party is prioritizing legal and operational security over local autonomy. By imposing strict NDAs and centralizing communications, the leadership appears to be insulating the organization from potential internal dissent or legal vulnerabilities as it positions itself for a high-stakes general election.
Implications and Future Outlook
The directive has reportedly caused friction among some members, particularly given the party’s historical emphasis on free speech. While the party maintains that these measures are non-negotiable steps toward building a “professional, scalable, and legally robust organisation,” the enforcement of these rules has already led to the forced dissolution of branches that failed to comply with the April directive by mid-May.
Looking ahead, the party’s success in this re-establishment phase will likely hinge on its ability to maintain its volunteer base while enforcing these new, centralized standards. If the party continues to face resistance or further administrative hurdles, it could face additional delays in its organizational rollout, potentially impacting its campaign readiness. Whether this “iron grip” strategy will effectively protect the party from legal jeopardy or instead diminish the engagement of its grassroots supporters remains a critical question as the next general election approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the new branches being dissolved and re-established?
An internal review identified “significant risks” including missing or incorrectly recorded minutes and unvetted committee processes, which the party stated could leave branches vulnerable to legal challenges.
What are the new rules for branch communications?
Branches are subject to a “media silence” policy, are prohibited from running independent social media pages, and must conduct all member communications through a centrally controlled membership portal.
What is the ONTRACE system?
It’s the party’s method for vetting committee members, involving a 10-year “clean record” test, the results of which are final and not open to discussion.
How will these centralized restrictions impact the party’s ability to mobilize supporters in the lead-up to the election?
