Labor and One Nation are likely to preference each other last in five upcoming by-elections triggered by the latest wave of dual-citizenship resignations, letters exchanged by the two leaders reveal.
Last week, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson warned Bill Shorten her party would not “flow preferences to Labor if their preference relationship continues with the Greens”.
Senator Hanson said time was “of the essence” as her party considered its preference options in the upcoming by-elections.
Four of the contests will be held in Labor seats, while one will be for the seat of Mayo, currently held by Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie.
But opposition leader Bill Shorten has now replied to the letter, calling Senator Hanson “Turnbull’s number one ally in Canberra” and ruling out a deal on preferences, at least at the next federal election.
“Sadly you’ve put the top end of town first and Aussie battlers last – so that’s where Australian Labor will put One Nation in our preferences at the next election,” Mr Shorten wrote in an open letter.
“Your voting record in Canberra has left us with no choice but to put you at the back of the queue – because we’ll always put working Australians and their families first.”
A recent ReachTEL poll commissioned by the Australia Institute, a left-leaning thinktank, saw the Coalition leading the ALP 53-47 percent on a two-party choice, while One Nation support was on 15.1 percent.
A national Newspoll found prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s personal approval rating has jumped following the release of the 2018 Budget last week, but the Coalition still trailed Labor 49-51 percent on two-party preferred.
