One Nation is capitalising on Australians’ economic pessimism like never before. Is a ‘stagflation impulse’ to blame?

One Nation’s surge in popularity will be tested in earnest at the next federal election. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

In the three decades since Pauline Hanson entered federal politics, Australia has experienced numerous bouts of voter frustration with the mainstream parties.

But it is only lately that the negative sentiment towards the majors has propelled One Nation to unprecedented polling numbers and delivered Hanson higher net approval ratings than the prime minister and opposition leader.