One Nation fancies itself as ‘the real deal’. At least Pauline’s party has a sense of humour

October 8, 2026 — 5:30am

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One Nation is not without a sense of humour. How else to explain The Real Deal, the ironic choice of title for a state election manifesto that offers so little detail as to how any given policy might work, let alone cost.

To set the scene, imagine Pauline “The Real Deal” Hanson in a wrestling tunic and a sequined cape, biceps oiled and bulging, strutting to the ring for a tag team match with Warren “The Warrior” Pickering.

That is the feel of the politics-meets-sports-entertainment, championship wrestling-style campaign launch that accompanied the release of a policy document which sets out One Nation’s plans for governing Victoria.

All of which would be fine – if the contents of the document, like the political theatre, were not so unreal.

From the opening Shutterstock image of a pearly white family who look like they live in an Ikea showroom, to AI-generated phrasing that, among other things, advocates greater use of AI in policing, the policy platform leaves you wondering whether One Nation is run by people or a flame-haired avatar lifted from a 4Chan message board.

As my colleague “Rowdy” Kieran Rooney complained between pages, the more you read, the less you understand.

That doesn’t mean One Nation isn’t putting forward some reasonable ideas.

If we stick with the party’s area of greatest focus – the state’s criminal justice system – it would be wonderful if everyone charged with violent offences could progress to trial........

© The Age