Joyce thanks Labor for One Nation poll surge as Hanson says she’s up for PM

Barnaby Joyce has directly linked the surge in support for One Nation to Labor’s recent federal budget as Pauline Hanson’s party secured another defector from the Coalition.

One Nation’s representation in the House will double on Tuesday with Farrer MP David Farley to be sworn in to sit alongside Joyce, while a well-placed source who asked not to be named said it was possible another high-profile Coalition member could be set to switch allegiances.

Former Liberal state MP Lou Amato flagged on Monday evening that he could switch to One Nation and have another tilt at NSW parliament.

A number of Coalition MPs including Nationals Llew O’Brien and Colin Boyce and Liberal Alex Antic have been rumoured to be considering a change of party, but all denied they were about to quit the Coalition.

Hanson said on Monday that she was ready to serve as the nation’s prime minister after polling published in The Australian Financial Review had One Nation claiming 31 per cent of the primary vote, Labor 28 per cent and the Coalition 20 per cent. It is the first time One Nation has led Labor.

In the most recent Resolve Political Monitor, published by this masthead on May 17, Labor recorded a primary vote of 29 per cent, One Nation 24 per cent and the Coalition 23 per cent.

Joyce, who was the first Coalition MP to defect to One Nation, played down the significance of the poll and said the party needed to be wary of hubris.

“It’s an indicator, it’s humbling, but it is not a vote. It’s the Australian people saying we are right in consideration, but there is a long way to go,” he said.

“Labor has helped us a lot. They did this marvellous thing called the budget, I want to thank them for that, for their help and support.”

Asked about the prospect of another defector to One Nation, Joyce referred to Boyce and said: “I’ll go back to Oscar Wilde – the news of his defection has been greatly exaggerated.”

Before his swearing in, Farley said it was both humbling, exciting “and history-making for One Nation and an especially proud moment for Pauline Hanson”. The date of his first speech has not yet been set.

After One Nation’s rise in the polls, there has been speculation Hanson could run in a Queensland lower house electorate, as it is convention that the prime minister sits in the House of Representatives. The seats she could contest include the Coalition-held seats of Capricornia and Wright, or the Labor-held seats of Oxley and Blair.

Asked on Monday during a radio appearance on 2GB if she would be ready and able to contest the next election, which is likely to be held w