Sydney (AFP) – Australia's economy minister said Monday that "legitimate" concerns were driving a rise in support for the far right after a bombshell opinion poll showed the populist One Nation is now the country's most popular party.

Issued on: 01/06/2026 - 09:01

For decades a fringe outfit led by provocateur Pauline Hanson, polling released over the weekend by the Australian Financial Review showed One Nation has overtaken the ruling Labor Party in support.

"I think people have legitimate concerns about where they fit in the economy," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said when asked what was driving that.

"People are responding to legitimate pressures and legitimate concerns and anxieties they have."