Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Announces Change to Party Name

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party will simply be “One Nation” going forward.

Senator Hanson says the name change was motivated by the fact the party has become well known on its own merits.

The name change was announced in a statement on Oct. 27 on social media with party leader Hanson saying the move reflected the party’s growing popularity across the nation.

The long-time political figure has, however, ruled out any speculation the 71-year-old would be taking a back seat.

In a statement emailed to supporters on Oct. 24, Hanson said she was nowhere near ready to retire and that media speculation she might hand leadership over to someone like outgoing Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce was not accurate.

“I haven’t got a foot in the grave yet,” she said.

Well known One Nation members, including Chief of Staff James Ashby, and Hanson’s daughter Lee Hanson, are individuals Hanson said could eventually lead the party.

The Queensland senator said the name change symbolises a renewed focus on the “principles that first inspired millions of Australians to join the movement: putting the nation and its people first.”

Recent polling by Roy Morgan found One Nation’s primary support in Australia increased 2.5 percent to 12 percent of the national vote.

While polling showed One Nation support was down 1 percent among those under 34, support had increased by 3.5 percent for those aged 35-49, while 50-64-year-olds had the highest increase in support with a rise of 6 percent.

One Nation supporters over 65 were up 3.5 percent.