With apologies to Shakespeare and Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, for the reference in the title, the recent ranting by both Labor and the Liberals about One Nation and their leader, Pauline Hanson, had the line echoing in my head.

For the last few weeks, the two major parties, with help from media organisations, have been trawling the past for dirt related to One Nation (in general) and Pauline Hanson (in particular).

A notable example includes the stories surrounding lead Victorian candidate Warren Pickering and allegations from over 20 years ago. At a follow-up press conference, he was backed not only by his daughter, but also his stepson. This cleared the air and advanced his standing in the election. In that press conference, the people of Victoria learnt that Warren’s life was turned around, in part, by his stint in the armed forces.

Shortly after One Nation’s victory in the Western Australian by-election of Secret Harbour, Andrew Hastie, whose seat includes Secret Harbour, discovered an acute objection to an episode of Please Explain in which he is referred to as a ‘traitor’. Most of mainstream media was outraged on his behalf. However, Rowan Dean, on his various News24 programs, pointed out that when you examine the cartoon, the reference was not in relation to the country, but rather to political positions, such as the Hate Speech legislation.

Then, news broke about Albanese and an honorary membership to a Golf Club which received a significant grant from the federal government. Too bad the news has been preoccupied with comments made by Pauline Hanson in January on Karl Stefanovic’s podcast in which Hanson criticised the prospect of life-long housing commission, such as used by Albanese’s mother. The One Nation leader dared to suggest such a situation should be temporary, not permanent. This was followed by typical uproar from Albanese, his Ministers, and mainstream media.

Most recently, another podcast comment from Senator Hanson has been dug up. In September last year, she made some poorly expressed comments about Aboriginal Australians that didn’t conform with what I call the Bruce Pascoe view of history. Again, Labor, the Liberals, and mainstream media jumped up and down about it.

It was observed in the Australian that ‘the more outraged the reaction against One Nation … the more support she stands to gain’.

Time will tell whether he is correct.

One thing is for sure, you can guarantee that while One Nation’s polls are high, more dirt will be found and flung at them.

I don’t think the Coalition should be continuing down this path.

Instead, I agree with Bronwyn Bishop’s opinion that they should be concentrating on bringing down this government and working with One Nation on an agreement to guarantee supply and confidence to each other.