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Immediately after the Australian budget Roy Morgan ran a snap poll across 2,348 voters Australia-wide to see where the parties sat in terms of popularity. The poll revealed some staggering numbers. The reasons were listed in detail and many of them could apply equally to the political situation in this country. If National, in particular, want to win big they should take heed of the reasons given for the increased support shown for Pauline Hanson's nationalist party One Nation.
If a Federal election was held right now it would be too close to call: Not between the governing Labor Party and the Liberal/National coalition, but between Labor and One Nation. One Nation had more primary support (32 per cent) than Labor (28.5 per cent), and almost double the support of the L-NP coalition (16.5 per cent), the Greens (11.5 per cent), others and independents also (11.5 per cent). On a two-party preferred basis Labor came in at 51 per cent while One Nation registered an astonishing 49 per cent just two points behind. Labor has a 10 per cent lead over the coalition (55 per cent to 45 per cent). This type of result augurs well for NZ First in the November election.
The reasons given for supporting One Nation are not surprising, coming from conservative voters. The responses show that One Nation voters are primarily motivated by:
- concerns about immigration and national identity
- deep dissatisfaction with the major parties
- perceptions that Australia is in economic and cultural decline
- opposition to “woke” politics, climate policies and global institutions
- belief that One Nation “puts Australia first”
- and support for Pauline Hanson as an authentic and honest political figure
Comments re the two major parties were:
- “Labor and Liberal are the same party”
- “The uni party is destroying Australia”
- “Both major parties have failed”
- “The two party system doesn’t work”
- “Broken promises”
A large number of respondents framed their support around:
- patriotism
- national sovereignty
- preserving Australian culture
- prioritising Australians over outsiders
- one flag
- make Australia great again
Comments around opposition “woke” politics and progressive social change included:
- “Get rid of woke”
- “Anti woke”
- “Political correctness”
- “Gender ideology”
- “Left-wing ideological nonsense”
- “Diversity programmes”
Opposition to net zero and green energy policies comments included:
- “Net Zero scam”
- “Green energy is destroying the economy”
- “Build coal power stations”
- “Drill baby drill”
On conservative and traditional values respondents identified with:
- conservative politics
- traditional morals
- discipline
- religion
- and older social norms
On anti-globalism and sovereignty, concerns were:
- WHO
- WEF
- UN
- globalism
- and foreign influence
On small business and anti-regulation, comments included:
- “Attacks on small businesses”
- “Too much regulation”
- “Red tape”
- “Anti-small business policy”
The strongest emotional themes were:
- distrust
- frustration
- resentment
- perceived loss of national identity
- and belief that ordinary Australians are being ignored
There was more in the poll but the above will give you a flavour of conservative thinking across the ditch. It mirrors the sentiments of conservative voters here, and the thoughts expressed, I suggest, identify with NZ First more than any other party. If National were to read these poll results, they might, just might, realise how out of step and out of touch they are with their voter base. The ‘woke’ MPs in the party, including the PM, need to ditch their nonsense, toughen up, grow a spine and start giving their supporters not only what they voted for but, what, in fact, they campaigned on.
So far, most of what National voters would agree with is emanating from Shane Jones. Apart from being a ‘nationalist’ party, the no-nonsense approach of Mr Jones is attracting National voters to NZ First. It is beyond time the National Party started reading the room. Conservative voters are deserting the comfort of lounging on National couches for the better furniture (policies) of NZ First. This, and the results of the poll, should act as a wake-up call to National. But will it?
