Coalition won’t rule out One Nation support in hung parliament as Jane Hume questioned
The Coalition has declined to rule out relying on One Nation to govern if the next federal election ends in a hung parliament.
The Coalition has repeatedly declined to rule out relying on One Nation to govern in the event of a hung parliament, with Deputy Opposition Leader Jane Hume refusing to give a direct answer when pressed during a television interview.
Appearing on ABC’s Insiders on Sunday, Senator Hume was repeatedly asked whether a future Coalition government would accept One Nation’s support to govern if it failed to secure an outright majority at the next federal election.
While she firmly ruled out any formal coalition agreement with Pauline Hanson’s party, Senator Hume stopped short of ruling out governing with One Nation’s backing in a minority parliament.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“No. No. No. We will not be governing in coalition with One Nation. We are not forming a coalition with One Nation,” she said.
“The Liberals are already in coalition with the National Party.”
When host David Speers pressed whether the Coalition would accept One Nation’s support to form a minority government, Senator Hume repeatedly declined to answer directly.
“It’s 18 months until the next election, David, so of course it’s a hypothetical question,” she said.
“Our intention is to win outright, and we do that by making sure that we present a credible plan and a credible team.”
Asked again whether governing with One Nation support remained a possibility, Senator Hume accused Speers of attempting to put words in her mouth.
“David, you keep trying to put words in my mouth,” she said.
“We have no plans, no intentions... there is no plan to have a coalition with One Nation.”
She instead argued Australians would face a clear choice at the next election between Labor and the Coalition.
“We are concentrating on making sure that we speak to every Australian... and demonstrate that the Coalition’s plan to lower taxes, lower energy prices, lower migration, build more homes and put Australians first is the appealing policy set for them.”
The exchange comes after Liberal frontbencher Andrew Bragg suggested the Coalition would need to be “pragmatic” if no party secured a parliamentary majority, while Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has previously ruled out any formal coalition with One Nation.
With at least 18 months until Australians next head to the polls, Senator Hume maintained the Coalition’s focus remained on securing a majority government rather than negotiating potential crossbench support.
“We plan to govern as a Liberal-National Coalition, as we have done for 80 years,” she said.
