Green party urges australian counterparts to ‘take on’ hanson’s populism

Zack Polanski, head of the Green Party in England and Wales, delivered a blunt warning to his Australian counterparts: they need to start confronting the rising tide of populist rhetoric fueled by figures like Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

Acknowledge the anger, don’t just hope for solutions

Speaking via video link at the Victorian Greens campaign conference, Polanski argued that the Australian party must actively ‘take on’ One Nation, mirroring the approach his own party adopted against Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. He bluntly stated the right’s success stems from its ability to effectively ‘connect with people’s anger,’ a phenomenon that accelerates political change. It’s not about indulging that fury, he insisted, but about understanding its root causes.

The gap between words and action

“People are feeling more and more angry, more disillusioned – and more and more ready for change,” Polanski emphasized. “What we’ve not necessarily been great at, as progressives, is connecting with that anger. We often rush to offer solutions before truly grasping the pain people are experiencing.”

He offered a crucial distinction: engaging with the underlying frustration, acknowledging the struggle, and then collaboratively building solutions is far more potent than simply projecting an image of optimism. It’s like offering a friend a space to vent before suggesting remedies – a far more effective approach than immediately jumping to proposed fixes.

Targeting the root of discontent

Polanski stressed the importance of separating the leadership of right-wing parties from the voters who might be swayed by them. “I would imagine that a lot of people who are thinking about voting for them could actually be Green voters,” he observed. “They’re rejecting establishment Politics, seeking alternatives to the cost of living crisis and inequalities – issues that resonate deeply with many.”

The Green Party’s recent electoral successes in England and Wales, alongside the rise of Reform UK, highlight this shift in the political landscape. Ellen Sandell, the Victorian Greens leader, acknowledged the challenge of being an ‘antidote to disillusionment’ without resorting to aggressive tactics, noting the constant pressure from One Nation to dominate the news cycle.

Polanski highlighted a strategic imperative: “There reaches a point where you do just need to take them on – directly by being that antidote.” He cautioned against prioritizing hope over direct engagement, suggesting that simply talking about solutions risks appearing detached or uncaring. It’s akin to offering a friend a quick fix without truly hearing their concerns.

Don’t underestimate the power of feeling

“It’s a little bit like when you have a friend and you are annoyed about something,” Polanski illustrated. “If someone immediately starts to jump to what you can do about it, sometimes it feels like they haven’t really heard you. Whereas if they can give you a moment to be really annoyed about something, to vent about something, to hold that space and then offer solutions together, that’s a really powerful experience.”

He concluded with a firm statement: “Progressives must never underestimate the power of hope, but only hope without a plan is just a delusion.”