The isolationist, anti-Asian One Nation polled up to 20 percent in some constituencies in Queensland state elections yesterday, while the ruling Labor party swept back to power with a landslide victory.
Rob Borbidge, leader of the conservative coalition opposition, conceded defeat with just over 75 percent of the vote counted.
"I would like to take this opportunity to extend to [Labor leader] Peter Beattie and his government my sincere congratulations on what has been an outstanding victory," Borbidge said. He then promptly announced he was quitting politics.
The result underlined the political resurrection of One Nation, the party led by former fish-and-chip restaurant owner Pauline Hanson, following a strong showing a week ago in Western Australia's state election. The party was expected to win at least two seats in the 89-seat parliament.
With over 75 percent of ballots counted, Labor was predicted to win more than 62 seats, up from 42, according to results collated by the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The coalition plummeted from 32 to a predicted 15 seats.
The resurgence of One Nation and another strong showing by Labor -- which also won in Western Australia with a huge swing to the left -- is bad news for federal Prime Minister John Howard, whose conservative coalition faces national elections later this year and is also badly lagging behind the Labor party in polls.
Federal Labor leader Kim Beazley said the result was good news for the party nationally.
"Clearly, there is a mood for change around the country," he said.
One Nation, which is anti-immigration and advocates cutting down welfare payments to Aborigines, went into the last Queensland state election, in 1998, at the peak of its popularity and took almost 22 percent of the vote, winning 11 seats.
But within months, the party had all but disintegrated following personal clashes and disputes with the party leadership. One lawmaker resigned and later committed suicide, four became independents and the remaining six formed the breakaway City-Country Alliance.
Overall, One Nation was polling about nine percent yesterday, the ABC said, despite fielding only 39 candidates.
"I am very pleased with it," Hanson said. She said she would now concentrate on winning a seat for herself in the federal senate.
Accepting victory, Beattie took a swipe at One Nation's racist posturing.
"One of the great things I love about Australia ... is that we judge people on what's in their heart ... not the color of their skin or their religion or their gender," Beattie said.
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