There was a marked shift in Australian media in the past week, after Pauline Hanson released One Nation’s new gas policy.

The headlines were all similar; “overhaul the gas industry” and “Nordic-style plan”. Which it is – Hanson proposes gas companies receive a 30 per cent tax break during the exploration stage, in exchange for the government having the option of buying up to a 30 per cent stake in future projects.

This all sounds very reasonable and given how much One Nation propositions itself as the “reasonable centre” rather than where it sits – on Australia’s increasingly crowded far right – will attract a lot of people who believe Australians should own stakes in these resources.

Nationalism has always been one of One Nation’s strongest threads – it has previously proposed nationalising the banks and services to return Australia to its “golden era” and received loyal support from the regions in return. These policies have not been taken seriously however, despite their (understandable) support. This one has. And it’s worth interrogating why.

One Nation is on the rise, yes. And there is talk in Liberal-National circles that, after the next election, One Nation will be the........

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