Middle Australia has been forgotten; that's why I support One Nation. My niece disagrees

Renee recently switched from voting for the Coalition to One Nation, while her niece Sarah plans on voting for a left-leaning party.

Sarah and her aunt Renee are on opposite sides of the political spectrum and have differing views on One Nation. Source: SBS

Pauline Hanson's One Nation is polling stronger than ever and is presenting a genuine threat to the Coalition. Insight asks voters from across the political spectrum to 'please explain' who they're voting for, and why, in episode One Nation Wave on SBS On Demand.

Renee:

Historically, I've always voted for the Coalition. I wasn't deeply political, and I believed the major parties were working for everyday Australians.

But as living pressures increased, I paid closer attention and began losing trust.

Living in a regional community stretches you in every sense — work, school, sport, and supporting family. People in the cities often don't understand what that really looks like.

For us, it can mean driving 400km to see a specialist, hours on the road for kids' sports, and dealing with poor roads and limited services. And we're actually lucky — we live close to a major regional centre. It must be incredibly difficult for those in truly rural and remote areas.

We work hard, but it's getting harder. Like many families, we're increasingly worried whether home ownership will even be possible. You learn resilience because you must — but it often feels like regional families are expected to just keep coping while being overlooked.

I think there's a growing sense, regionally, that our effort isn't being recognised — and that living standards are slipping. These feelings are what prompted me to look to One Nation.

A couple of years ago, I changed careers after working in frontline social services. That gave me a close view of how the system operates — and the gaps within it.

I saw a system under pressure, where support doesn't always reach the people who need it most, and where some who are genuinely trying to get ahead still fall behind. That experience changed how I see things — including the political party I felt aligned with.

Shifting to One Nation

I feel like politicians are too often focused on short-term reactions and political fights rather than long-term outcomes.

And I feel like middle Australia has been forgotten. We work hard to build a better life, but it's becoming harder to get ahead. How much more are we expected to carry with rising costs and everyday pressures?

For my family, it looks like I'm going to be working and will be working for a very long time because we don't feel like we're getting ahead. It feels like we are just continuously working to assist those getting handouts and not really getting the tax break of those in a much higher class.

Watching my three teenage and young adult kids navigate school, apprenticeships, shift work and budgeting in our regional area made it personal. If it's this hard for us, what chance do they have of building a secure future in what's meant to be 'the lucky country'?

Renee historically has voted for the Coalition but just voted for One Nation in the recent Farrer by-election. Source: SBS

What appealed to me about One Nation is the party's willingness to talk about difficult issues such as population growth, housing shortages and the transition to net zero, while asking the practical questions.

I know there's stigma with the party, and people can make assumptions quickly. But for me, it's not about labels — it's about wanting better outcomes for my family, my kids, and my community.

I don't think it's wrong to value fairness, respect, and contribution, and to expect those standards to be applied consistently. When they don't feel consistent, people start to worry about their freedoms and way of life.

I try to keep it all very respectful when I talk to friends and family who have different political views — like my niece Sarah, who is very left-leaning.

We may disagree, but most people want the same things: security, opportunity and a better future for their kids.

Sarah:

I've always been politically engaged — even as an early teen, when I felt like some right-leaning adults in my life would bring up divisive issues to get a rise out of me.

Now, as an 18-year-old, I can have calm and constructive conversations with my aunty Renee even though we're on opposite sides of the political spectrum.

We agree on some things but not about One Nation.

Sarah, 18, is excited to vote for the first time and says she will not be voting for One Nation. Source: Supplied

I think the current state of Australian politics is abhorrent and the two-party system is long past its expiry date — so I can understand why she and others are supporting One Nation.

But I think people feeling scared and lost politically are turning to the party as an extreme solution — not knowing what else to do about the cost of living and quality of life.

To me, it feels impossible now to even begin to trust a political party to fulfil its election promises. I think what Australia needs is truly a party that doesn't slander others, that doesn't push any form of hate or fear but pushes for a better tomorrow.

Voting for the first time

I feel like my generation, in general, feels a bit trodden on and forgotten about when it comes to politics because there feels like there is a focus on older generations.

But I'm very much looking forward to finally being able to step up to vote for the first time in the next election.

I have been raised with the idea that you can't complain about something if you don't do something to change it. And I see voting as the opportunity to have your say in things you want to see change.

I am passionate about decreasing the gender pay gap, increasing the minimum wage and workplace protections, as well as protecting the environment. And I'm not sure that these are One Nation's top priorities.

I am yet to decide who I will vote for when the time comes. But I know I will not support a right-leaning party, as I consider myself left-leaning and feel more aligned with parties such as the Greens.

I do worry about how my family will vote in the next election.

Ultimately, it's their right and their choice; I have no right to judge or shame them even if it makes me upset.

As I said, I think people feel scared and lost in this very uncertain time in the world. But we must listen and be considerate of one another — like how Renee and I are with each other.

Fighting amongst ourselves over opinions makes us strained and disconnected.

Instead, we should be holding our government accountable for things everyone across the political spectrum wants: a liveable wage, time to follow our passions and time to spend with our friends and family.

But one thing I know for sure is that One Nation would not be good for the Australian way of life.

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