Libs face fresh confusion over possible One Nation coalition

The Liberal Party has been submerged in another bout of confusion about how to deal One Nation, after Opposition Leader Angus Taylor dismissed a frontbencher’s suggestion the parties could join forces after the election to form a governing majority. The question of how to fend off One Nation has caused ructions in the party for months. Backbench senator Alex Antic quit group chats with colleagues last week in a “dummy spit” after this masthead reported their concerns he would seek to create an alliance with One Nation in South Australia. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, left, and Coalition housing spokesman Andrew Bragg. Sitthixay DitthavongThe issue was given life again on Monday morning when senator Andrew Bragg said the party must acknowledge that if neither One Nation nor the Coalition held a majority of seats after the next election, but could combine to form government, then “of course we would be pragmatic”. Explaining his comments to this masthead, the Coalition housing spokesman said: “The number one priority is to best the communist Labor government.” He went on to say: “We’ve got to be honest. If there’s an opportunity to form a government to beat the communists, then we’ll do it. That shouldn’t be controversial.” Bragg’s statement reflected the possibility of the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation forming an agreement if the right-wing parties end up with more seats than Labor after the 2028 election. Current polling suggests it is unlikely that Labor will lose its majority. However, what might have appeared to be a relatively benign prediction sparked controversy because Taylor and his team have been keen to diminish the idea the Coalition and One Nation could cooperate. As Labor escalates its arguments that a vote for the Coalition is effectively a vote for Pauline Hanson, Taylor responded to Bragg : “There will be no coalition with One Nation.” The opposition leader went on to tell reporters: “Our coalition is with the National Party. What is very clear is we’re not going to form a coalition with One Nation, and I know Andrew knows that.” Taylor’s top ally, frontbencher James Paterson, said he would be “surprised if Andrew Bragg is advocating for a coalition with One Nation”. “That’s not my understanding of his views. I think he made the sensible point that we’ll work out our preferences in the normal time and the normal way closer to the election,” Paterson said on ABC Radio National.