Liberals hit One Nation with desperate orange flyers

Source: theage.com.au

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Victorian Liberals are using anonymous orange flyers in the Nepean byelection on May 2 to attack One Nation, warning that supporting the minor party keeps Labor in office. The tactic targets Darren Hercus from One Nation and independent Tracee Hutchison with a separate pink flyer, amid internal party debates on handling One Nation's rise. It's reported now as the first test of Liberal vulnerability on their right flank since One Nation's gains elsewhere, following Sam Groth's resignation from the seat.

Key points

Details and context

The Nepean byelection follows Groth's resignation, forcing voters to go to polls twice in seven months before the November state election. Liberals fear One Nation's growth after its South Australian success and polls showing high-20s support in some areas, prompting preference talks despite leader Jess Wilson's warnings.[[1]](https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/orange-is-the-new-blue-liberals-take-on-one-nation-with-desperate-flyers-20260407-p5zlxj.html)[[2]](https://www.smh.com.au/politics/victoria/one-nation-s-sa-surge-sends-an-early-ripple-through-victorian-seats-20260322-p5rmgk.html)

One Nation's Warren Pickering sees the flyers as major parties panicking over poor governance. Hutchison calls the attacks “lazy and dishonest”, confirming only brief 2019 Labor talks over hospitals.

Premier Jacinta Allan links the Coalition to One Nation's divisive style, while Wilson insists only Liberals-Nationals can change government.

Key quotes

Why it matters

One Nation's rise threatens to split the conservative vote in Victoria, complicating the Coalition's path to power in November. For voters in marginal seats like Nepean, it means more attack-style campaigning and choices over experience versus protest. Watch the May 2 byelection result and any preference deals, though their impact remains unclear amid shifting polls.

LANG: en