One Nation Shocks Labor in WA By-Election Upset
Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has delivered a significant political upset in Western Australia, claiming victory in the Secret Harbour by-election south of Perth and putting both major parties on notice across the state's southern suburbs.
The result sent ripples through federal and state political circles, with Labor and the Liberal Party left to assess what the swing toward the minor party means for their own electoral bases in the region.
One Nation wasted little time in declaring Secret Harbour and the surrounding southern Perth corridor its new heartland, signalling the party's intention to contest further seats across the area in coming elections.
The by-election result reflects a pattern seen in pockets of outer-suburban and regional Australia, where voters frustrated with the major parties have increasingly turned to alternatives. Secret Harbour, a coastal suburb roughly 50 kilometres south of the Perth CBD, sits within a corridor of newer, working-class and middle-income communities that have historically leaned toward Labor.
Political analysts noted the result was a warning signal for both major parties. For Labor, it underscores growing discontent in communities that were once considered safe territory. For the Liberals, the outcome demonstrates that One Nation is capable of drawing from their side of the political divide as well, particularly on issues such as cost of living, housing affordability, and immigration.
One Nation's momentum in Western Australia has been building in recent years, buoyed by a national mood of dissatisfaction with establishment politics. The party's success in Secret Harbour adds another data point to that trajectory and gives its candidates a credible platform heading into any future state or federal contests in the region.
For now, both Labor and the Liberals face difficult internal conversations about what policy positioning — and candidate selection — is needed to win back voters who have drifted toward Hanson's party. Whether the Secret Harbour result represents a durable realignment or a protest vote will become clearer at the next scheduled election.
One Nation's campaign team moved quickly after the declaration to frame the win as a mandate, declaring Perth's south as territory the party now intends to defend and expand upon.
Frequently Asked Questions
One Nation won the by-election in Secret Harbour, a coastal suburb located south of Perth in Western Australia.
Both major parties face a warning signal. Labor lost ground in an area it once considered reliable, while the Liberals also saw voters drift toward One Nation, prompting both to reassess their strategies in Perth's southern suburbs.
Yes. Following the Secret Harbour result, One Nation declared Perth's southern suburbs its new heartland and signalled plans to contest additional seats in the region at future elections.