Canberra was rocked on Tuesday as One Nation marked what its leader Pauline Hanson described as a “historic breakthrough” — the formal swearing-in of Farrer MP David Farley, the first lower-house MP elected directly on the party’s ticket to take his seat in the House of Representatives.

The moment, while procedural on paper, carried clear political weight inside Parliament House, with One Nation celebrating what it sees as a turning point in its federal influence. Hanson was seen embracing Farley shortly after he was sworn in, signalling both relief and political momentum for a party that has long operated on the fringes of the federal chamber.

Farley arrived in the House shortly after midday, walking alongside former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, now sitting with One Nation on the crossbench. The two entered together, underscoring the unusual political alignment forming in the lower house.

A tense but symbolic oath

Visibly nervous, Farley took the traditional oath of allegiance to King Charles III, carefully guided by parliamentary staff and with Joyce pointing out where to sign official documents. The moment, while routine for most MPs, carried symbolic weight given the scale of Farley’s electoral win.

His entry into Parliament follows a dramatic by-election in Farrer, triggered after former opposition figure Sussan Ley exited politics following a leadership challenge earlier this year. The contest delivered a decisive result, with Farley securing almost 40 per cent of the primary vote — a result widely interpreted as a sharp rebuke to the Coalition in the rural New South Wales seat.

As he settled into the chamber, Farley shook hands with senior figures across the political divide, including Tony Burke, before being ushered to his seat on the crossbench beside Joyce and independent MP Dai Le.

Hanson declares a “team of six”

In the aftermath, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson took to social media flanked by Farley, Joyce, and fellow senators Malcolm Roberts, Tyron Whitten, and Sean Bell. Her message was blunt: the swearing-in had formally expanded what she called “your One Nation federal parliament team to six”.

For Hanson, the optics were unmistakable. What was once a single-issue populist movement with limited parliamentary presence is now presenting itself as a broader cross-chamber force with both Senate and House representation.

Observers in Parliament House noted the significance of Joyce’s presence alongside One Nation figures, hinting at a looser and more unpredictable crossbench dynamic that could complicate negotiations on key legislation.

A chamber watching closely

As formal proceedings resumed, Joyce was seen leaning toward Farley, pointing across the chamber toward Labor MPs during early debates. According to parliamentary observers, the exchange underscored the learning curve for the new MP — and the informal mentorship role Joyce appears to be taking on.

Several MPs from across the political spectrum approached Farley to welcome him, including Liberals Tom Venning and Leon Robello, as well as independents Monique Ryan and Dai Le. Former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack also offered brief congratulations, wishing the new MP “all the best” as he settled into parliamentary life.

Despite the ceremonial welcome, there was a noticeable undercurrent of political tension in the chamber, particularly as Coalition MPs reacted to procedural proposals being raised around economic policy and taxation reform.

Poll surge fuels ambition

The swearing-in comes at a politically sensitive moment for One Nation, which earlier this week reportedly overtook Labor in national polling, according to an Australian Financial Review/Redbridge Group/Accent Research survey. While the result remains contested in political circles, it has emboldened Hanson and her supporters.

The party’s surge has already fuelled renewed speculation about Hanson’s long-discussed ambition to lead a federal government. However, convention dictates that a prime minister must sit in the lower house — meaning any such move would require Hanson to contest a seat in the House of Representatives.

When asked about her readiness to contest the next election during an interview on 2GB, Hanson responded firmly that her future would depend on her health, adding:

“I’ve got nothing wrong with me. I take no medication, nothing. I’ve got more energy in me than a lot of these other people.”

Her comments were widely interpreted as a signal that she remains politically active and willing to consider a lower-house tilt, should the opportunity arise.

Critics question readiness

Not everyone in Canberra is convinced. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie questioned Hanson’s suitability for higher office, pointing to her attendance record at Senate estimates hearings and broader workload expectations.

“For that you need drive and commitment and energy,” Hastie said in an ABC interview. “And I think the attendance record shows otherwise.”

His remarks highlight an ongoing divide in how Hanson is perceived: a resilient political operator to supporters, and a divisive and inconsistent figure to critics.

A new crossbench reality

Farley’s arrival adds another unpredictable variable to an already fragmented House of Representatives. With One Nation now holding a presence in both chambers, and Barnaby Joyce aligning himself more closely with the party’s crossbench strategy, parliamentary negotiations on key legislation may become more volatile.

While the government benches largely maintained procedural calm during Tuesday’s sitting, behind-the-scenes conversations suggest MPs are already recalibrating how to engage with an expanded and more confident One Nation presence.

For Hanson, however, the message was clear: this is only the beginning.

As she stood beside her new MP and senior party figures in Parliament House, the symbolism was unmistakable — One Nation is no longer just shouting from the sidelines. It is now sitting inside the chamber, watching every move, and preparing for what comes next.