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
Section update: 11:45pm, 02/03/2026
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 been told by multiple sources with knowledge of the preselection process that the Liberal preselection field for Hastings has narrowed in recent weeks, with fewer nominees remaining than earlier in the process.
In response to questions from STPL News, a Liberal Party spokesperson said nominations had attracted “lots of interest” and that the party would confirm its candidate once preselection takes place. The statement did not address STPL News’ questions about the preselection method, the timing of the candidate announcement, whether the party is concerned about One Nation’s support in the electorate, or what message it is taking to voters considering switching from Liberal to One Nation.
The Liberal Party is pleased to have had lots of interest in members wanting to run in the seat of Hastings. With nominations now closed, we look forward to confirming the candidate once the preselection takes place.
Our message is clear, the only way to get real change locally is to change the Government by voting 1 for Jess Wilson’s New Liberal Team.
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.
