Liberal Party Grapples With Preference Question Amid One Nation Surge

Former Prime Minister John Howard once famously said One Nation should be placed last on every Liberal Party how-to-vote card.

Leader of One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson (C) speaks to the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Jan. 19, 2026. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images

A resurgent One Nation is creating preference headaches for Liberal leaders ahead of upcoming state and federal elections.

Nine Newspapers report the Victorian Liberals are planning to preference One Nation ahead of Labor as a default position for November’s state election, unless there is a “particularly odious candidate” or other exceptional circumstances.