Senior Liberal and Nationals figures reject proposals for seat-sharing or joint election planning with One Nation following calls to avoid conservatives competing against each other at the next election. Liberal frontbencher Tony Pasin argues the Liberal Party should negotiate with Pauline Hanson’s party to ensure Liberal and One Nation candidates do not “cannibalise” each other’s votes. However, Angus Taylor and other senior colleagues dismiss the idea, saying there is “no plan” to cooperate in that way. In separate reporting, Nationals leader Matt Canavan also rejects seat-sharing arrangements, telling Guardian Australia that the Coalition will “compete against Labor everywhere.” Canavan says he supports Hanson’s “fire the liar” fundraising campaign, but draws a clear line against signing up to a joint election strategy. The exchanges reflect emerging internal debate within the conservative parties about how to respond to One Nation’s campaigning and whether cooperation could reduce vote-splitting. The discussions continue against a backdrop of published opinion polls that show One Nation and Labor competing closely, and Hanson signalling a willingness to target seats held by the government.
Angus Taylor rejects One Nation seat-sharing proposal amid Liberal rifts
Senior Liberal and Nationals figures reject proposals for seat-sharing or joint election planning with One Nation following calls to avoid conservatives competing against each other at the next electi...
- Tony Pasin urges Liberals to negotiate with One Nation to avoid vote-splitting between the parties.
- Angus Taylor and other senior Liberals reject the seat-sharing or joint strategy proposal, saying there is “no plan”.
- Nationals leader Matt Canavan rejects a seat-sharing agreement and says the Coalition will compete against Labor everywhere.
- Canavan indicates support for Pauline Hanson’s “fire the liar” fundraising campaign while still opposing a joint election strategy.
- The dispute reflects cracks within the Liberal–Nationals camp over how to deal with One Nation’s electoral threat.
Nationals leader says he supports Pauline Hanson’s ‘fire the liar’ fundraising campaign but will not sign up to a joint election strategyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Nationals leader, Matt Canavan, has rejected calls from some Liberals to consider a joint election strategy with One Nation, telling Guardian Australia the Coalition will “compete against Labor everywhere”.Canavan rejected Liberal MP Tony Pasin’s push for a seat-sharing agreement, who told the Australian newspaper the Liberals and One Nation “should work together to identify which seats are more appropriately targeted”. Taylor and other senior Liberals had quickly shut down the idea. Continue reading...
2 months agoSouth Australian Liberal Tony Pasin says parties should ‘work hand-in-glove’ to defeat Labor at the next electionFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSplits are appearing inside the Liberal party about how to deal with Pauline Hanson, after one opposition MP at risk of losing his seat to One Nation said the two conservative parties should cooperate and not run against each other – a plan rejected by Angus Taylor and other senior colleagues.With One Nation leading the Coalition and Labor in published opinion polls, Hanson’s threat to target government-held seats has recharged debate about whether the surge will see rightwing politicians cooperate or cannibalise each other’s votes. Continue reading...
2 months agoLiberal frontbencher Tony Pasin has urged his party to negotiate with Pauline Hanson so that Liberal and One Nation candidates do not cannibalise each other’s vote.
2 months agoLiberal frontbencher Tony Pasin has urged his party to negotiate with Pauline Hanson so that Liberal and One Nation candidates do not cannibalise each other’s vote.
2 months agoLiberal frontbencher Tony Pasin has urged his party to negotiate with Pauline Hanson so that Liberal and One Nation candidates do not cannibalise each other’s vote.
2 months ago
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