One Nation is actively courting Australia's Christian community, with party recruit Barnaby Joyce urging anti-abortion campaigners at a Sydney rally in early June to hand out how-to-vote cards. The rally featured Christian leaders and recitation of the Lord's Prayer, highlighting the party's appeal to churchgoers.
Christian voting patterns
Christianity remains Australia's largest religion, with about 44% of the population identifying as Christian, and roughly one in five attending church regularly, according to the National Church Life Survey (NCLS). Historically, churchgoers lean toward the Coalition, but they can shift votes based on issues like abortion, marriage, religious schools, social services, immigration, climate, and refugees. Kevin Rudd attracted conservative Christians to Labor in 2007 by emphasizing his faith and care for the marginalized, while Scott Morrison won Christian votes in 2019 amid debates on religious freedom.
Policy conflicts
One Nation's strong anti-abortion rhetoric may appeal to some Christians, but its anti-immigration platform could alienate others. Simon Smart, executive director of the Centre for Public Christianity, notes: "The anti-immigration, anti-refugee stance of One Nation will be a stumbling block to people whose faith calls them to welcome the stranger and to view all people as precious because they're made in the image of God." He adds that Christians drawn to Hanson's rhetoric "may have good reason to pause and reconsider."
Monoculture vs. diversity
Hanson's push for a "monocultural" Australia clashes with the reality that over one in three Australian churchgoers are born overseas, and about a quarter speak a language other than English at home, per NCLS data. Smart says the Christian vision of community across "every tribe, nation and tongue" does not align with monoculture. One Nation's platform also includes refusing entry to migrants from nations deemed incompatible with Australian values, and Hanson has questioned the existence of "good Muslims," a remark for which she was censured in the Senate.
Electoral impact
Hanson's net approval ratings surpass those of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, with One Nation drawing aspirational voters from both major parties. John Black, former Labor senator and founder of Australian Development Strategies, says Australia's "Bible belt" is on suburban peripheries in marginal seats, where religious voters can influence tight contests if mobilized as a bloc. However, One Nation lacks an obvious Christian voice to appeal broadly, according to John Warhurst, emeritus professor at the Australian National University: "If One Nation is to have an impact among Christians, it would have to be through their policy program, and the general vibe that they're representing believers."
Values and scapegoating
One Nation frames its vision around "Judeo-Christian" values, warning that Western ways are under siege from immigration. Jarrod McKenna, mobilisation strategist at Act for Peace and a pastor, says politicians rarely use "Judeo-Christian" to refer to Jesus's teachings on love of neighbor or welcoming the stranger. Instead, "the stranger is used as a scapegoat." He argues that the antidote to divisive rhetoric is addressing economic policies: "The idea of a fair go, being kind and staying down to earth is a pretty good Aussie paraphrase of the biblical principle to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God."
