One Nation will be tested soon in a Western Australian byelection for a state seat lying predominantly within the federal electorate of Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, a ferocious critic of the party.

The contest, in the Labor seat of Secret Harbour, will be closely watched for whether One Nation erodes Labor in an outer suburban area, and also for its implications for Hastie, who holds the federal seat of Canning.

As well, the byelection will be important for One Nation because it will come in the run up to the crucial Victorian state election in November, which is seen as a major test – and opportunity – for Pauline Hanson’s party, which has been surging in the polls.

The WA byelection is prompted by the resignation of Paul Papalia, a long serving Labor........

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