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I was very surprised when I saw a quite ferocious attack ad on TV directed against One Nation.
It wasn’t authorised by GetUp, but by the Liberal party - a party whose preferences could deliver the Farrer by-election to One Nation.
The Coalition parties are performing a high-wire act: they fear a Michelle Milthorpe victory that could keep Farrer in independent hands for a long time; and they fear electoral oblivion if One Nation takes too much of their voter base.
So they are prepared to deliver Farrer to One Nation and bide their time.
The problem is that this hypocritical, stand-for-nothing strategy will still push their party to minority status as One Nation gains money and momentum.
Coalition voters who don’t want to see their party dragged down have an alternative. They don’t have to follow their party’s ‘how to vote’ card.
They can vote for the Libs or the Nats and direct their second preference to Michelle Milthorpe.
This choice will help their parties maintain credibility and keep them in the future political conversation.
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