When the capacity, and in some cases the genuine intention, to actually deliver isn’t weighed, voters are left choosing between words and promises alone. We saw that play out in 2022, and even more starkly again in 2025.
I worry we may head down an even more destructive path in 2028. I understand why many are gravitating toward One Nation. Pauline Hanson is a compelling communicator who knows exactly how to tap into frustration and discontent. But if past performance is any guide, strong rhetoric hasn’t translated into meaningful legislative outcomes.
There’s also the practical reality of governing. If One Nation were to find itself in government, or even as the official opposition, it would likely be backed by a large cohort of first-term, largely inexperienced MPs suddenly tasked with navigating complex portfolios, national security briefings, economic management and international diplomacy.
That kind of abrupt transition would not be a harmless experiment; it could prove deeply destabilising. Financial markets react to uncertainty. International partners reassess reliability. Public services stall while new ministers learn on the job. Protest votes can send a message, but governing a country is something else entirely, and the cost of getting it wrong can be profound.
I often hear the argument that “we just need a change”, that the major parties are indistinguishable, a so-called “uniparty” offering different slogans but the same outcomes. Frustration with the political class is real. But the idea that there is no meaningful difference between governing philosophies, economic approaches, or national security strategies doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Change for its own sake is not a strategy. Real reform requires competence, depth, and a team capable not only of criticising the system, but of responsibly running it.
Many will disagree with this, and that’s their right in a democracy. But disagreement doesn’t alter objective realities. Parliamentary records, legislative outcomes, and governing experience are matters of fact. Passion can shape opinion; it cannot rewrite performance
