Do not call her a racist: anti-Pauline Hanson strategists tell campaigners character attacks won’t work in Victoria
Progressive group GetUp is shifting its strategy for the upcoming Victorian election by advising activists to avoid personal attacks on One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. Research suggests that character-based criticism reinforces her outsider status, so campaigners are now encouraged to focus on economic issues.
Why it matters
This reflects a broader strategic pivot in political campaigning, moving away from polarization toward issue-based engagement to counter populist growth.
The One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson. GetUp told campaigners Hanson’s ties to Gina Rinehart are ‘a problem’ but not what should be in focus. The One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson. GetUp told campaigners Hanson’s ties to Gina Rinehart are ‘a problem’ but not what should be in focus. One Nation Do not call her a racist: anti-Pauline Hanson strategists tell campaigners character attacks won’t work in Victoria Exclusive: strategic rethink urges progressive activists to respectfully steer one-on-one conversations with One Nation supporters towards economic concerns
Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast
Prefer the Guardian on Google The message from strategists was blunt: do not, however tempting, personally attack Pauline Hanson or call her a racist.
The request has been made to progressive campaigners and unionists who have been asked to start one-on-one conversations with One Nation supporters before the Victorian election in November.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in