Key facts
- Mike Newman, an investment banker, has been appointed the leader of Australia's One Nation party in New South Wales.
- Newman has lived in Japan for 25 years and is fluent in the Japanese language.
- He will also serve as the party's candidate for the Hunter seat of Cessnock in the March 2027 state election.
- Newman's policy proposals include reducing payroll tax by half, eliminating it in regional areas, freezing public servant numbers, and introducing performance metrics for the public service.
- Newman addressed past controversies regarding One Nation's stance on Asian migration, stating his personal circumstances and business associations demonstrate the party is not racist.
Australia's right-wing One Nation party has appointed investment banker Mike Newman as its leader in New South Wales, the country's most populous state. Newman, who spent approximately 25 years living in Japan and is fluent in the language, will also be the party's candidate for the Hunter seat of Cessnock in the upcoming March 2027 state election.
Newman's policy platform includes significant reductions to payroll tax, with a proposal to halve it statewide and eliminate it entirely in regional areas. He also advocates for freezing the number of public servants and implementing private sector-style key performance indicators within the public service, particularly for senior executives. Newman stated that if the party promised to build 20,000 homes, payment would be contingent on achieving that target.
During a press conference, Newman addressed past controversies surrounding One Nation's stance on Asian migration. He cited his Japanese wife and Indian business partners as evidence against claims of racism within the party. Newman also referred to Japan and Korea as successful "monoculture" nations, suggesting this model could be beneficial. He defended federal leader Pauline Hanson's past remarks, characterizing a gaffe about the Japanese prime minister as an "on-the-spot moment."
Newman previously served as Investment NSW's senior trade and investment commissioner in Tokyo and currently works as the chief representative for North Asia for HunterNet Co-op. He confirmed he is living in the Hunter region, having spent more time in Japan than in Sydney. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has been focusing on the Hunter region, acknowledging the rising threat from One Nation.