One Nation plans to introduce its upper house candidates for the Victorian election on Monday evening in Melbourne, an important first step towards contesting an election that polls suggest could leave it with the balance of power.
The party’s website is advertising a $120-a-head function at an undisclosed location in the suburb of Hawthorn that will feature leader Pauline Hanson, who has called Victoria a “basket case” and said the party has received more than 1000 applications from would-be candidates.
“This special event offers the opportunity to hear directly from Senator Pauline Hanson about the future of Victoria, meet the candidates standing for the 2026 Victorian State Election, and connect with fellow supporters,” the website says.
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A One Nation spokesman declined to comment and the party’s Victorian president could not be reached for comment.
With just under four months until the state election, One Nation has not appointed a state leader or published any state-specific policies. A party source said former Northern Territory chief minister Adam Giles will not lead the party into the election.
On Wednesday, Senator Hanson told News24 TV host Paul Murray her candidates would be announced Friday or next week. “We have locked in about 74 to 76 seats at the moment of the 88,” she said. “So we’ve got our candidates.”
There are 88 seats in the lower house. The advertisement for Monday’s “meet the candidates” event states it will be attended by candidates running for the Legislative Council, which is the upper house.
The latest Newspoll estimated One Nation’s support at 19 per cent in Victoria, compared with 31 per cent for the Coalition and 28 per cent for the Labor Party.
The Labor Government’s odds of retaining power narrowed from 3-1 to 2.7-1 after the party switched leaders from Jactina Allan to Ben Carroll, according to SportsBet. The Coalition remains the favourite.
