Zempilas ‘open’ to working with One Nation ahead of next WA election

West Australian Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas is open to the working with One Nation ahead of the next state election, and believes ignoring the Pauline Hanson-led party would be ignoring the will of the people.

Speaking as the guest of honour at Monday’s Leadership Matters breakfast at Crown Perth, Zempilas acknowledged One Nation’s upward surge following recent poll results showing the party had overtaken the federal government in popularity.

A Newspoll published on Monday was the third major poll in a row, following surveys from YouGov and Redbridge last week, that showed One Nation just above Labor on first-preference votes.

Zempilas told the audience at Crown it would be impossible to speak and not acknowledge the recent polls, and that, as a “rising political force”, One Nation deserved respect.

“If their support holds, inevitably it will be people in my position’s job to find a way to work with or alongside One Nation,” he said.

“That will be important, and it’s something that at this stage, almost three years away from our next state election, I have an open mind about.”

Zempilas said the recent polls showed there was a level of frustration with the current state of politics within Australia.

“What you cannot deny and what you cannot ignore is that currently 30 per cent of the Australian – and likely West Australian – population are suggesting they could or would vote for One Nation,” he said.

“In our position, you have to consider everything that is in front of you, and there’s a very significant movement towards One Nation in this state and around Australia.

“So, our job is to see how we can work with that phenomenon, whether it’s alongside it, next to it, or around it, to achieve what ostensibly is the same goal, and that is to remove a tired Labor government.”

“This is Basil, about saving Basil, and his commitment to join with One Nation in election campaigns again shows a level of desperation and making sure that Basil’s top priority is Basil,” she said.

“I mean, Zak Kirkup waited for a week before the election to give up, and for Basil Zempilas to be considering a deal [with One Nation] three years out from the election shows how desperate he is to try and gain power.”

Saffioti added that it was important to differentiate between people who supported One Nation and the party itself, but was firm in her belief that the party broadcast racist messages.

“I think we’re going to differentiate people that support them to some of the statements they make.

“I’m saying they do say things that are very racist. I’ll say that, but ther