Labor to highlight ‘risk’ of One Nation to cost of living in bid to dent Pauline Hanson’s popularity

Labor will seek to highlight Pauline Hanson’s record of opposing cost-of-living relief for working people as it tries to prevent One Nation further eroding its voter base. As the government grapples with how to deal with Hanson’s surge, one Labor MP predicted One Nation’s support had peaked and the rightwing populist party wouldn’t be able to replicate its polling success at a federal election. But Labor MP Mike Freelander said his party must continue to examine options to help under-pressure workers, including further income tax cuts. A new Redbridge Group/Accent Research poll published in the Australian Financial Review put One Nation ahead of Labor for the first time, making it the most popular political party in the country. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The result provides further evidence that while One Nation poses an existential threat to the Liberals and Nationals, it also represents an increasing danger for Labor. On Monday, Hanson fielded media questions about the possibility of becoming the prime minister, despite One Nation holding just two of the 150 lower house seats. “Do I have the ability to do it? You bet I have,” she told 2GB radio. Hanson’s poll numbers have continued to rise despite a string of controversies that would ordinarily damage a politician’s standing, forcing the major parties to reassess their approach to combatting One Nation. …