The recent fallout from Pauline Hanson's European jaunt has provided a stark reminder of the toxic brand of politics she continues to peddle. Through unprecedented media scrutiny, including Liam Bartlett's recent Channel 7 Spotlight program, the layers of carefully managed public relations are being peeled back. What has been revealed is that "the real Pauline" is virtually indistinguishable from her 1990s iteration. Until recently, her extreme prejudices and simplistic worldview had become mostly background noise in Australian politics. But the country can no longer afford to tune out.
During her so-called "study tour" of the UK, Hanson dropped her guard repeatedly. She displayed visible disdain when exposed to ethnic diversity on the streets of London and Luton. She sought out the company of extreme right-wing figures, including convicted criminal Tommy Robinson, and enthusiastically backed mass deportations, stating she would pursue similar policies in Australia if given the chance.
For a while now, Hanson's worst excesses seemed contained, perhaps due to the influence of Barnaby Joyce. An older and wiser head, Joyce has apparently warned her against the inflammatory stunts such as the infamous burqa-wearing she was happy to boast about to her far-right chums in the UK.
Now, as Hanson's hubris seems to grow on the back of polls putting PHON neck-and-neck with Labor, it is much harder for Joyce to explain away her more extreme statements. It is significant that the New England MP recently cited the Bondi attack as a defining moment for his attitude toward Islam, despite his long track record of speaking against racism, highlighting how fraught and complex the conservative response has become.
This dynamic leaves the Coalition facing an existential crisis. Angus Taylor appears paralysed, seemingly unable to decide whether to launch a full-scale attack on Hanson or to try to quietly woo her base.
There can be no half-measures. If the Liberals and Nationals choose to become "One Nation lite", they will sign their own death warrant. The LNP must stay firmly in the centre-right, tackle Labor on the economy and reject One Nation as a toxic, divisive force. Ironically, the strongest criticisms of Hanson are currently coming from Nats leader Matt Canavan and Liberal leader-in-waiting Andrew Hastie. For their own survival, the rest of the Coalition must follow their lead.
That One Nation is a party for the working men and women of Australia is a myth that demands dismantling. Hanson's economic policies would potentially hurt more than help the working class and women's rights. She makes no secret of her desire to gut the public service (and by default, public services), make it easier to sack "lazy workers", cut paid maternity leave and abolish carbon reduction initiatives.
While it seems inconceivable Hanson could ever form a government, her growing popularity means that is a possibility. Her opponents on the left and the centre-right must seriously address the question of why so many disillusioned voters are flocking to her banner. Is it just that they feel the major parties have utterly failed them? That they are over the broken promises of Labor and the empty blame games of the other mob?
If so, lecturing these voters about their "deplorable" wrongness will only alienate them. Don't make Hillary Clinton's mistake. Offer a credible alternative and encourage the electorate to take a closer look at this self-styled champion of the underdog.
Maybe the best way to defeat One Nation is not to shut Pauline Hanson down, but to let her speak. There is a saying that when somebody tells you who they are, you should believe them. Maybe that's how those swept into her orbit find out who she really is, what she represents and why she's not the solution.
