Support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party in Australia has reached levels that its leader says put it on a credible path to becoming a viable governing alternative, according to the most recent polling figures.

In the first major survey of 2026, One Nation registered an unprecedented rise in primary vote intentions, surpassing the Liberal–National Coalition and recording its strongest support in decades.

The surge follows a period of political volatility marked by public dissatisfaction with the major parties and national concern over security, economic pressures, and immigration policy debates.

Newspoll figures published this week showed One Nation on twenty-two per cent of the primary vote, ahead of the Coalition’s record low of twenty-one per cent and with the governing Labor Party on thirty-two per cent, illustrating a significant realignment of voter sentiment.

This marks the first time in polling history a minor party has overtaken one of the traditional major parties on primary voting intentions.

Senator Hanson welcomed the polling results in Canberra, asserting that Australians were demanding bold leadership and a party that could deliver decisive action on issues such as national identity, border security, cost of living pressures, and broader governance reforms.

She framed the rise in support as a reflection of widespread frustration with the current political establishment and positioned One Nation as the authentic voice of those seeking change.

The veteran politician also reaffirmed her ambition to build the party into a government-ready force, acknowledging that while the road ahead would be challenging, the current momentum demonstrated genuine opportunity.

Her message emphasized a long-term strategic goal of sustained growth and expanded representation in the House of Representatives.

The polling surge has been accompanied by notable developments within the broader conservative movement.

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce formally joined One Nation late last year and has been credited with enhancing its appeal among disaffected conservative voters.

Joyce described the party’s rise not as a displacement of existing leadership but as the offering of a real alternative that prioritises Australian interests.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other mainstream leaders have warned against the polarising potential of right-wing populism, asserting that such shifts underscore the need for strong governance from established major parties in national debate and policy responses.

As the federal political landscape continues to evolve, Hanson's remarks signal a new phase for One Nation as it seeks to convert its historic poll performance into tangible electoral gains and broader influence in national governance.