GetUp’s Gamble: Can It Outmaneuver One Nation?

GetUp, Australia’s most influential progressive campaigning organization, recently staged a provocative banner drop at Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club address. This calculated risk aimed to shift the focus from Hanson’s inflammatory rhetoric to her party’s policies on workers’ rights and industrial relations.

Ferris, acting chief executive of GetUp, believes that Australia has been slow to acknowledge the rise of populism, which has reshaped politics in Europe and the United States. He points to recent elections as evidence that this phenomenon is not isolated to these countries. Ferris asserts that Hanson and One Nation are a serious political force, rather than just a circus act.

The press club stunt has been met with both praise and criticism. Some see it as a clever move, while others label it counter-productive or even treasonous. Barnaby Joyce, the star One Nation recruit, ridiculed GetUp’s tactics, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the interruption as “counter-productive.” David Feeney, former Labor campaign strategist, was more scathing, calling GetUp a “bunch of amateurs” who are “no use” to the progressive movement.

Despite criticism, Ferris remains committed to his strategy. He believes that Australia is moving beyond the era where elections are won and lost during six-week campaigns. Instead, he argues that groundwork must be laid in the years leading up to an election. GetUp wants to spend the next two years scrutinizing One Nation’s parliamentary record on wages, healthcare, cost of living, and workers’ rights.

This strategy has already shown signs of success, with over $1 million in donations flowing in since the press club stunt and 1500 new monthly donors added to their ranks. However, whether this will be enough to shift the balance of power remains to be seen. One Nation’s ability to tap into voters’ frustrations and anxieties cannot be underestimated.

The real question is whether GetUp can outmaneuver One Nation in the long game. Can they successfully reframe the narrative around Hanson’s party and its policies? Or will they continue to be seen as a “bunch of lefties” trying to justify their existence?

Australia has been slow to acknowledge the rise of populism, but this phenomenon is not unique to Europe and the US. It is a symptom of a broader trend – the erosion of trust in institutions and the rise of identity politics. Populist movements often tap into voters’ frustrations with economic inequality, social injustice, and perceived elitism.

By targeting One Nation’s record on workers’ rights and industrial relations, GetUp is tapping into one of the most pressing concerns for working-class Australians: their declining economic security. This is not just about politics; it’s about people’s lives.

Ferris believes that GetUp needs to spend the next two years scrutinizing One Nation’s parliamentary record. In practice, this means holding Hanson’s party accountable for its policies on wages, healthcare, cost of living, and workers’ rights. Can they successfully reframe the narrative around One Nation’s ideology? Or will they continue to be seen as a “bunch of lefties” trying to justify their existence?

The fate of progressive politics in Australia hangs in the balance. GetUp’s success or failure will have far-reaching implications for the Left’s ability to engage with voters and shape policy. If they can outmaneuver One Nation, it could be a game-changer for Australian politics.

But if they fail, it will be a stark reminder of the challenges facing progressive movements around the world – the rise of populism, the erosion of trust in institutions, and the need to adapt to changing voter attitudes. The next two years will be crucial in determining the future of GetUp and the progressive movement in Australia.

The banner drop at Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club address was more than just a stunt; it was a warning sign for all those who believe that politics can be reduced to simplistic slogans and memes. It’s time to get serious about engaging with extremist ideologies and to rethink our strategies for tackling the complex issues facing Australian society today.