More Liberal Party Members Ready to Defect to One Nation, Hanson Claims

The One Nation leader’s comments after the defection of Nationals branch chair Stephen Coxhead from Tamworth.

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson speaks at CPAC Australia in Brisbane, Australia, on Sept. 21, 2025. Melanie Sun/The Epoch Times

A widening ideological rift within the Liberal Party is proving fertile ground for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, which is quietly gaining recruits and voter support amid growing dissatisfaction on the conservative flank.

Last week, the longtime Tamworth-based Nationals branch Chairman Stephen Coxhead announced he was leaving the New England branch to join One Nation—a move Hanson says won’t be the last.

The One Nation leader revealed that a “high-profile former Liberal Party president” is also preparing to defect, describing it as part of a broader shift by members and supporters “who see that there’s no future with the Liberal National Party.”

When asked whether she was actively seeking new recruits, Hanson insisted she wasn’t.

“No, I don’t go out there and seek people to come across to One Nation. I may in an endurance, which I’ve said many times: ‘Oh, look, those people are better suited with One Nation,’” she told ABC RN Breakfast on Oct. 16.

She added that “if they see that One Nation is offering a better alternative where they can represent the people, it’s up to them to decide if they want to come across.”

Hanson went on to name conservatives like Senators James Paterson, Michaelia Cash, and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who she believes will struggle against moderates and progressive factions.

“The conservatives are fighting a losing battle,” she said.

Liberal Divide

In a keynote speech in Sydney, the right faction’s James Paterson, shadow finance minister, called for unity and discipline, arguing that internal rifts must end for the Liberals to rebuild voter trust.

“Despite the economic and political success of Australian liberalism, there are some marginal voices arguing that the Liberal Party should split ... Our task is to make sure these voices remain marginal,” he said.

“Because if they succeed, it would be a disaster for the Liberal Party and Australia.”

Some of his remarks were interpreted as a veiled criticism of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Andrew Hastie, who both exited the shadow ministry after disagreements with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.

However, Paterson later told Sky News Australia the remarks were not directed at them, calling the pair “two of my closest friends in the federal Parliament” and saying he “always had their backs.”

“I’m advocating that we continue the classical liberal conservative fusion which has served us so well for 81 years, rather than abandoning it,” he said.

Echoing the concern, Liberal Senator Dave Sharma warned in a speech to the Sydney Institute against embracing “populist” rhetoric, describing it as “toxic” to long-term political stability.

“Stagnant economies provide the breeding ground for populism, with its identification of villains and simplistic solutions,” Sharma said. “If Australia’s economy remains stagnant, we too will fall victim to populism, to this toxic form of politics.”

One Nation’s Momentum

Hanson argued that the Liberals’ internal turmoil stems from their failure to connect with ordinary voters.

“The Liberal Party are losing their members in droves. They’re fed up with their policies. They’re fed up with lack of action, especially on the mass migration issue,” she said.

She maintains that One Nation’s stance on energy, immigration, and cost-of-living pressures is resonating across both conservative and working-class bases.

“Well, saying that we’re populist means that we’re in tune with what the general public wants. So I don’t know why they think it’s a put down. I don’t at all,” she said.

She added that frustration with the Coalition’s climate and economic agenda is another factor that drives voters away.

“Net zero is something that a lot of people are passionate about. They feel it hasn’t been addressed. We need to get out of net zero, the Paris Agreement—that’s One Nation’s policies,” she said.

A Battle for the Conservative Base

While the Coalition suffered one of its worst results in the May 2025 election, One Nation recorded its strongest, emerging as a key beneficiary of discontent conservative voters.

After gaining two extra Senate seats and doubling its upper-house representation, the party’s support has continued to rise.

The latest Essential poll in September placed One Nation’s primary vote at 13 percent, ahead of the Greens on 11 percent and more than double its 6.4 percent result in May.

With One Nation’s vote share climbing and defectors joining from both the Liberals and Nationals, Hanson says the message from the public is clear.

“The public is tired of excuses. They want action—and One Nation is ready to give it to them.”