The right-leaning nationalist One Nation has capitalised on its increased popular vote in the recent election to double its representation in the Senate.
As final Senate counts concluded on May 29, the minor party won an additional two seats: one in New South Wales, the other in Western Australia.
The results mark its first-ever wins outside Queensland for the federal Senate, alongside party founder Pauline Hanson, and Senator Malcolm Roberts.
Construction Boss Wins WA
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) confirmed construction executive Tyron Whitten had won the state’s sixth and final Senate seat.
One Nation’s Whitten narrowly defeated Labor’s Deep Singh, a former United Workers Union organiser, in a tight preference count.
Whitten co-founded construction services company Whittens in 2001. One Nation describes him as someone who pushes back against “injustice or broken policies.”
He has previously criticised the policy of multi-culturalism, saying new migrants need to assimilate and respect “Australian values” and the “way of life.”
Former Special Forces Commander Wins NSW Seat
In New South Wales, former commander of the British Special Air Service (SAS) Warwick Stacey secured the final Senate seat.
The six successful NSW candidates declared on May 30, in order of election, include Tony Sheldon (Labor), Andrew Bragg (Liberal), Tim Ayres (Labor), Jessica Collins (Liberal), Mehreen Faruqi (Greens), and Stacey (One Nation).
Stacey said he entered politics to protect Australian jobs, secure borders, and lower living costs.
“Australians are struggling because of failed policies from the major parties,” he said. “Our economy, energy security, and national identity are being eroded—we need real leadership to turn things around.”
Stacey’s candidacy was backed by the Australian Monarchist League.
“After graduating as an Australian from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment and later served as a troop commander with 22 SAS. On retiring from the British Army, he worked as a military consultant in the Middle East and on the Indian sub-continent,” the League said in a statement.
The Australian Army Research Centre says Stacey has advised on more than “40 kidnap, extortion, piracy and related life-threatening incidents, and has acted as case manager for a further 30 such incidents.”
Close Calls in Tasmania and Victoria
Party also did well in other states.
In Tasmania, One Nation narrowly missed a Senate seat where Pauline Hanson’s daughter, Lee Hanson, finished seventh after weeks of counting.
Tasmania’s six Senate seats went to Labor’s Carol Brown and Richard Dowling, Greens’ Nick McKim, Liberals Claire Chandler and Richard Colbeck, and Jacqui Lambie. Lee Hanson vowed to return to politics.
In Victoria, One Nation candidate Greg Hansford polled nearly 15 percent of the vote—its strongest-ever result in the state.
“Like it or not, One Nation isn’t a sideshow anymore,” Hansford said. “We went from 9.64 percent in 2022, to nearly 15 percent. That’s a real boost and has people talking about the state election in 12 months.”
He noted strong performances across regional towns such as Glengarry, Toongabbie, Cowwarr, and Rosedale, sometimes outperforming Labor.
The results will buoy the party, which has endured a tough time in recent years after most of its state-level MPs pulled out, including Mark Latham, Tania Mihailuk, and Sarah Game last week.
Other Senate Results
Queensland’s six Senate seats were won by Paul Scarr (LNP), Nita Green (Labor), Susan McDonald (LNP), Corinne Mulholland (Labor), Larissa Waters (Greens), and Malcolm Roberts (One Nation).
The Australian Capital Territory’s seats went to David Pocock (Independent) and Katy Gallagher (Labor).
Northern Territory’s successful candidates were Labor’s Malarndirri McCarthy and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price of the NT Country Liberal Party.
South Australia’s six seats were taken by Labor’s Marielle Smith, Karen Grogan and Charlotte Walker (the youngest ever senator), the Liberals Alex Antic and Anne Ruston, and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
