In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Canberra and beyond, Pauline Hanson, the fiery leader of One Nation, has emerged as the unlikely kingmaker in Australia’s fractured political landscape. As the 2026 federal election results trickle in amid a hung parliament, Hanson’s decisions could reshape the country’s direction for years to come, with her party’s preferences and potential coalition deals influencing the outcome of up to 34 marginal seats across the nation.

The election, called early by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese amid economic pressures and internal Labor Party tensions, has resulted in neither Labor nor the Liberal-National Coalition securing a clear majority in the House of Representatives. With 76 seats needed to govern outright, Labor is projected to hold 72, the Coalition 70, and crossbenchers—including independents, Greens, and minor parties—claiming the remaining 9. One Nation, under Hanson’s leadership, has surged in key rural and regional electorates, capturing three seats in Queensland and New South Wales while directing preferences that could swing an additional 31 contests in the final count.

Hanson, 71, has reveled in her newfound power. In a fiery press conference on January 29, 2026, she declared: “The people have spoken. They’re tired of the major parties ignoring the bush, ignoring cost of living, ignoring immigration. One Nation holds the balance, and we’ll use it to get real change—or watch them burn.” Her party’s platform—tougher border controls, reduced immigration, tax cuts for farmers, and opposition to net-zero policies—now stands as a potential bargaining chip in coalition negotiations.

The stakes could not be higher. Analysts say Hanson’s sway over 34 seats—through direct wins, preference flows, and Senate crossbench leverage—could decide whether Albanese clings to power in a minority government or if Opposition Leader Peter Dutton forms a fragile coalition with One Nation’s support. Dutton has already signaled openness to “common-sense policies” on immigration and energy, but aligning with Hanson risks alienating moderate Liberals and urban voters. Albanese, meanwhile, has dismissed One Nation as “extreme,” vowing to seek support from independents and the Greens first.

Hanson’s rise marks a dramatic comeback for the former fish-and-chip shop owner turned political firebrand. First elected to federal parliament in 1996, she founded One Nation amid controversy over her views on multiculturalism and Indigenous issues. After years in the wilderness, including a brief prison stint in 2003 (later overturned), Hanson returned to the Senate in 2016 and has steadily built her party’s base by tapping into rural discontent over globalization, climate policies, and urban bias. The 2026 election saw One Nation poll strongly in seats hit hard by droughts, mining downturns, and energy transitions, with Hanson’s anti-establishment rhetoric resonating in places like Capricornia and Flynn.

Critics warn that empowering Hanson could “dramatically alter Australia’s future.” Human rights advocates fear rollbacks on refugee policies and multiculturalism. Environmental groups decry her opposition to renewables, which could stall net-zero targets. Economists point to potential trade disruptions if immigration cuts exacerbate labor shortages. “Hanson’s decisions hold the fate of 34 seats—and with them, the direction of economic policy, foreign relations, and social cohesion,” said political analyst Dr. Sarah Cameron from the University of Sydney.

Supporters, however, see Hanson as a voice for the forgotten. “She’s the only one fighting for regional Australia,” said a Capricornia voter in a recent ABC interview. “The majors have sold us out.”

As counting continues and negotiations begin in earnest, Australia stands on the brink of upheaval. Hanson’s choices could forge a right-leaning government skeptical of climate action and tougher on borders—or force a precarious minority Labor administration reliant on progressive crossbenchers. Either way, the nation’s future hangs in the balance, with one woman’s decisions potentially rewriting the political map.

For a country already polarized by cost-of-living crises and cultural debates, the coming weeks could define a generation. As Hanson herself put it: “Watch this space. Australia’s about to change.”