Pauline Hanson was first elected to the House of Representatives in the Federal Parliament, in 1996 as an independent. The following year Pauline Hanson, together with founding members David Oldfield and David Ettridge, formed The One Nation Party in Queensland. The party appeals mainly to small business and farming interests as well as to individuals in districts with high unemployment and low income levels.
Electoral support is weakest in metropolitan centres with multicultural populations.
The party promotes what it sees as 'traditional' Australian national values and government financial support for small business and the rural sector. The party has also had Senate representation and elected members to parliaments in both Queensland and New South Wales. Political Parties in Australia Political parties have become an essential part of Australia's parliamentary democracy. In Australia, governments work from a 'party system'. This means that the party or the coalition of parties with the largest number of elected members in parliament usually forms the government of the day.