One Nation’s Luke Herdegen secured 39 percent of first-preference votes in the Secret Harbour by-election, a swing of over 30 points from Labor, and won 57 percent after preferences against Labor’s Georgia Tree.
The seat, held by Labor for decades after minister Paul Papalia’s resignation, highlighted Herdegen’s appeal as a business owner with real local stakes.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called One Nation ‘dangerous, divisive and downright dishonest,’ while leader Pauline Hanson accused him of desperate rhetoric amid cost-of-living concerns. The upset fuels talk of challenges for major parties in mortgage-belt areas.
