'Premature': One Nation's chances in Sydney's west played down

Barnaby Joyce's claim that One Nation could sweep seats in Westen Sydney have been hosed down. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi) The chances of One Nation sweeping seats in Western Sydney at the next federal election have been hosed down. A former Liberal Party member and now-analyst says its "premature" to predict a One Nation win but there are four seats where they could stand a chance. The NSW premier is calling on the state Coalition to say whether they will preference One Nation at next year's state election. Link copiedShareShare articleA former Liberal Party strategist has played down One Nation's chances of sweeping Western Sydney seats at the next federal election after Barnaby Joyce signalled the party had the region's seats in its sights. David Farley secured the minor party its first House of Representatives seat in the Farrer by-election on Saturday, removing the Coalition's hold since its creation. "Talking to people last night in the western suburbs of Sydney, they're quite at home with the idea of One Nation being a dominant force in Western Sydney — absolutely 100 per cent on board with the idea," Mr Joyce told Radio National Breakfast. Mr Joyce said opinion polling showing a rise in support for One Nation had been "validated" by the March South Australian state election result, in which it achieved its best electoral result anywhere in the country in nearly 30 years, and Farrer by-election. The former Nationals leader turned One Nation recruit said the potential candidates for Western Sydney were first and second-generation Australians. One Nation removed the Coalition''s stronghold in Farrer. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi) Director at pollster Redbridge Tony Barry called Mr Joyce a "great media performer" who was being a "little bit ambitious" in his outlook. However, he said, the situation could change going forward. "There are preconditions there that might see One Nation perform very well in two years' time," he said. "Some of those preconditions that match the One Nation voter profile are; those experiencing economic stress and insecurity, those who are self-employed — there's a lot of people in those western suburbs who are self-employed — Gen X and Boomers. Another factor that could impact One Nation's fortunes, he added, was the enormous change happening in the region, like the redevelopment in Liverpool. There are four seats, according to Mr Barry, where One Nation could stand a chance. "Lindsay, which is around Penrith, Macarthur, Macquarie and Greenway, are four seats that on a sunny day One Nation could win. Liverpool is among the many areas in Sydney's west under going change which could impact how people vote. (ABC News: Nandini Dhir) Adding that with an impending economic recession, it comes with enormous risk to say what the electorate would look like two years from now. "We just don't know how that is going to impact voters in terms of their anxieties and who they see best represents the change they're looking for. "It's quite possible that in those sort of circumstances they'll stick with what they know." Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun cast doubt on One Nation's broader electoral appeal in Western Sydney. The Liberal Party member said the minor party's anti-immigration policies would not translate as well in metropolitan areas. "Everybody knows that if you start putting the brakes on migration, you're going to start paying $10 for a cup of coffee, $35 for an avocado on toast because there's going to be no hospitality workers. The economy is going to struggle if you do this," he said. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the weekend's result demonstrated there would be a "lot of people" that supported One Nation and "under pressure" in some Labor seats, with voters tempted by alternatives. Mr Minns said Labor would not be preferencing One Nation in next year's state election, and they would instead try to "win back" disillusioned Labor voters. "Look, I don't think it's enough to say 'We're coming', you've got to deliver the policies," Mr Minns said. "You have to explain to the public in Western Sydney how you're going to make life better and not have us all just ripping each other apart in a divisive political campaign." He called on the state Coalition to say whether it would preference One Nation in the upcoming state election, as the party did at last weekend's by-election. Mr Minns has called on the NSW Coalition to say whether they would be preferencing One Nation at next year's state election. (ABC News) Mr Minns said Liberal leaders had fought against One Nation's values for decades, until the Farrer by-election. "They thought they'd be bad for both the state and the country, everyone from John Howard, Peter Costello, Peter Collins, Kerry Chikarovski, John Brogden, and if there's going to be a change to those arrangements, that's a big change for NSW politics." Federal Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson did not rule out a future coalition with One Nation on ABC's Insid

'Premature': One Nation's chances in Sydney's west played down

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'Premature': One Nation's chances in Sydney's west played down

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