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One Nation’s 2025 Election Policies: Fuel Excise, Immigration and Budget Cuts Explained
Apr 11
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Who Is Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party?
One Nation, founded by Pauline Hanson in 1997, is a right-wing nationalist party that emerged in response to concerns over immigration, multiculturalism, and globalisation. After initial success, the party declined in the 2000s but resurged in 2016 with the election of four senators. Today, it polls between 4–6% nationally and holds several local and state seats.
What Does One Nation Stand For in 2025?
In the 2025 federal election, One Nation continues to promote its trademark blend of:
Economic protectionism (e.g., tariffs, buy-Australian policies)
Small government principles, advocating for deregulation and fiscal restraint
Social conservatism, opposing progressive policies, mass immigration, and foreign influence
This ideological mix positions the party between populist conservatism and economic nationalism, drawing voters from both disaffected Liberal and minor party bases.
Key Policies for the 2025 Election
One Nation’s campaign focuses on several headline policies aimed at reducing cost-of-living pressures and government overreach:
Fuel Excise Freeze: Aimed at lowering inflation by cutting transport-related input costs.
Abolishing Regressive Taxes: Proposes removing GST and similar flat taxes to allow Australians to "keep more of what they earn."
Cutting Government Spending: Echoes U.S.-style fiscal conservatism, reallocating savings to productive sectors.
Immigration Crackdown: Includes caps on international student numbers, a ban on foreign property buyers, and the deportation of undocumented migrants.
Challenges and Trade-Offs of One Nation’s Policies
While appealing to cost-conscious and nationalist voters, One Nation’s policies carry notable risks:
Fuel excise cuts reduce federal revenue—currently around 4% of the budget—forcing either service cuts or more debt.
Protectionism is difficult in Australia’s open economy. While it has worked in sectors like media, large-scale trade restrictions could raise prices and strain international partnerships.
Immigration restrictions may hamper growth. Post-COVID recovery was driven by immigration, which supported housing demand, education, and the labour market. Cutting it could slow the economy.
Electoral Outlook: Can One Nation Gain Ground in 2025?
Despite a clear and distinct platform, One Nation faces an uphill battle in expanding its federal presence:
Mainstream adoption of some One Nation policies by the Liberal Party may dilute their uniqueness.
Falling inflation and improving household conditions reduce the urgency of populist economic measures.
Global conservative struggles—seen in Canada, the UK, and parts of Europe—mirror declining interest in hard-right alternatives.
Limited media coverage and past controversial statements continue to limit broader appeal.
With inflation now back within the Reserve Bank’s 2–3% target range and the Albanese government maintaining strong public support, One Nation may struggle to break past its Senate stronghold.
FAQ: One Nation 2025 Election Explained
What is One Nation’s stance on immigration in 2025?One Nation supports strict immigration caps, a ban on foreign property buyers, and deportation of illegal immigrants.
How does One Nation plan to tackle cost-of-living pressures?The party proposes freezing the fuel excise and cutting GST to reduce inflation and increase take-home pay.
Is One Nation likely to win more seats in 2025?While it may retain or slightly expand its Senate presence, structural challenges and vote-splitting make House gains unlikely.
Conclusion
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation remains a polarising but persistent force in Australian politics. With a unique mix of economic nationalism and social conservatism, the party continues to offer an alternative for voters dissatisfied with the major parties. But whether that message can cut through in 2025’s political climate remains to be seen.
References:
1. One Nation's Policy Overview
Lucks, A. (2025, April 2). Leading the pack with policies to make a difference. Pauline Hanson's One Nation. https://www.onenation.org.au/copied-one-nation-policies
2. One Nation's Immigration Policy
Pauline Hanson's One Nation. (n.d.). Immigration. https://www.onenation.org.au/immigration
3. OECD Findings on Migration's Economic Impact
Centre for Population. (2024). OECD: Findings on the effects of migration on Australia’s economy. Australian Government. https://population.gov.au/publications/research/oecd-findings-effects-migration-australias-economy
4. Overview of Pauline Hanson's One Nation
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Pauline Hanson's One Nation. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 10, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Hanson%27s_One_Nation
5. One Nation's Policy Document
Parliament of Australia. (n.d.). Pauline Hanson's One Nation [Policy document]. ParlInfo. https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p?query=Id%3A%22library/partypol/HGH36%22ParlInfo+9ParlInfo+9ParlInfo+9
6. Allegations of Policy Text Plagiarism
ABC News. (2016, July 11). Pauline Hanson: Text slabs from One Nation party policies lifted from internet. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-11/pauline-hanson-sections-of-party-policies-lifted-from-internet/7587652ABC+1ABC+1
7. Coalition's Preference Deal with One Nation
ABC News. (2025, April 23). Coalition cosies up to One Nation with preferences in ceasefire after decades of tension. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-23/pauline-hanson-one-nation-preferencing-deal/105200748
