Ahead of the upcoming Victorian election in November, progressive campaigners and union members are being advised to change their approach toward Pauline Hanson and her party, One Nation. According to training sessions organized by the Trades Hall Council, activists are being told to refrain from calling Hanson a racist or engaging in personal character attacks.

This shift in tactics follows a period of electoral success for One Nation, which has seen the party secure wins in various state and federal byelections, as well as in South Australia. Strategists argue that personal attacks are ineffective and may hinder the goal of engaging in one-on-one conversations with One Nation’s base. By moving away from inflammatory rhetoric, organizers hope to better understand the concerns of voters who support the party and potentially persuade them to reconsider their political alignment.

The Guardian reports that this decision reflects a broader strategic rethink among left-leaning groups. The focus is now on direct, personal engagement rather than confrontational political messaging. While the report highlights the tactical reasoning behind this move, it does not detail the specific counter-arguments or the perspectives of One Nation supporters themselves regarding these outreach efforts.