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🇦🇺 Australia /Elections & Politics

'It's all hate': How a small country town was overtaken by One Nation

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A small Australian country town, Hay, overwhelmingly supported the One Nation party in a recent by-election, transforming its political landscape.
  • Residents, like community Facebook administrator Annette Smith, shifted from neutrality to strong support for One Nation, citing a desire for a trusted voice.
  • The election results showed One Nation becoming a significant political force in the Farrer electorate, with more than half of voters placing it as their first preference.

The small Australian country town of Hay has rapidly become a stronghold for the One Nation party, dramatically shifting its political landscape in a recent by-election.

It sort of gave me confidence that One Nation had a bloke that we could trust.

— Annette SmithAnnette Smith, a local community Facebook administrator, explained her shift in support towards the One Nation party.

Annette Smith, a local community Facebook administrator, found herself conflicted between her commitment to free speech and the content of posts appearing in the "Hay Matters" group. Initially neutral, Smith, who has a strong anti-renewables stance, found herself increasingly drawn to One Nation. She cited David Farley, the party's candidate, as someone she could trust, leading to a personal transformation from neutrality to becoming a vocal supporter.

"In six weeks, I jumped from being a neutral sort of feeling person to… a [One Nation] corflute on the front gate," Smith recounted. This sentiment reflects a broader shift within the community, where One Nation support surged unexpectedly.

In six weeks, I jumped from being a neutral sort of feeling person to… a [One Nation] corflute on the front gate.

— Annette SmithSmith described her rapid transformation from political neutrality to active support for One Nation.

When the results for the Farrer by-election were announced, the town celebrated. At the local high school, which served as a polling place, more than half of the voters cast their first preference for One Nation. "The votes were already there. They were just hiding," Smith observed, suggesting a latent support that the party tapped into.

The votes were already there. They were just hiding.

— Annette SmithSmith reflected on the unexpected surge in One Nation support within her town.

One Nation's success in Hay and surrounding communities has given the party a significant foothold in Australian politics. The article notes the town's environment, describing it as "Mad Max country" with agricultural reliance and nearby cotton processing, hinting at the socio-economic factors that might influence such political shifts. "We are the voice for the words they were too scared to say," Smith added, encapsulating the party's appeal.

We are the voice for the words they were too scared to say.

— Annette SmithSmith articulated the perceived role of One Nation in giving voice to unspoken sentiments in the community.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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