One Nation rises in Australian polls amid populist shift

Australia is experiencing a significant populist shift, with One Nation polling at or above the Labor Party in recent data. A Newspoll conducted in late September 2026 placed One Nation as high as 36 per cent in Queensland and ahead of Anthony Albanese as the preferred prime minister.

This movement is characterized by growing public distrust in major political parties and traditional institutions. Analysts suggest the rise of One Nation reflects a societal exhaustion with technocratic elites, internationalism, and mass migration. While the party presents itself as a protest movement, critics note its policies remain pro-capitalist, citing its opposition to minimum wage increases and support for NDIS cuts.

The political landscape is further complicated by debates over multiculturalism. Some view the current shift as a rejection of top-down cultural projects, while others argue that Australia's embrace of multiculturalism was historically rooted in an egalitarian hostility toward old English social hierarchies.