A former Liberal Party member of six years, Shane Osborne has confirmed to STPL News that he has lodged a formal nomination to contest the seat of Hastings as a Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidate.
Osborne told STPL News he had previously nominated for Liberal preselection in the electorate of Hastings, but later withdrew his nomination and resigned his Liberal Party membership.
My nomination has been formally accepted by one nation
Shane Osborne told STPL News.
Osborne also confirmed he has received written acknowledgement from the Liberal Party in relation to his resignation.
Hastings seat and candidate field
The marginal seat of Hastings is currently held by first-term Labor MP Paul Mercurio, who was elected in 2022.
At the time of publication, the Liberal Party has not announced a candidate for Hastings.
STPL News has heard unconfirmed reports locally that the party is experiencing difficulty attracting candidates for the seat. The Liberal Party has been contacted.
Local correspondence to STPL News
STPL News has received dozens of emails and messages from locals, including people describing themselves as Liberal Party members and long-term Liberal voters, stating they have resigned, or intend to resign, from the party and are considering voting One Nation.
STPL News cannot independently verify each claim, but the volume of correspondence indicates heightened political volatility among some local voters.
The developments in Hastings come as One Nation’s vote is being closely watched in Victoria, including in the Nepean by-election where ABC News has reported One Nation is shaping up as the main challenger.
Liberal Party contacted
STPL News has written to Victorian Liberal Party director Alyson Hannam with questions regarding the timing of the Hastings candidate announcement and the party’s position on One Nation support shifts in the electorate.
