Former Queensland premier explains how to beat One Nation
Peter Beattie has faced down One Nation before. Amid Pauline Hanson’s growing popularity, the former premier says major parties can win back support with a “direct and authentic” approach.
Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says major political parties should fight the rise of One Nation by taking a “hard line” approach and engaging supporters directly to regain their backing.
Warning “you’ve got to be prepared to take abuse”, the former premier said too many politicians thought they were somehow “above it all” and did not understand the value of “direct and authentic” political engagement with voters in their own communities.
Beattie said that, while he despised party leader Pauline Hanson’s attacks on Muslims, few One Nation supporters were genuinely racist and most were normal Australians who felt insecure and alienated from institutions.
“They want to be heard,” Beattie told Capital Brief in an exclusive interview from Las Vegas, where he is attending weekend rugby league matches in his role as a commissioner of the Australian Rugby League.
