One Nation, a right-wing Australian political party led by Pauline Hanson, has faced criticism after abandoning support for a new domestic gas reservation policy. This policy, announced by the Albanese government, would require gas exporters on Australia’s east coast to reserve a portion of their production for the domestic market. The goal is to modestly increase the supply of gas, which could help lower energy prices for consumers. Earlier this year, Hanson had backed a similar proposal, arguing it would boost gas supply and reduce electricity costs. The policy change by One Nation has drawn attention, especially after the party revealed its new stance following discussions with industry stakeholders. The party claimed the original reservation policy would harm domestic gas companies, but critics argue that the shift was influenced by powerful industry interests. One of the largest opponents of the reservation policy is Senex, a gas company co-owned by Gina Rinehart, a billionaire mining magnate and major donor to One Nation, and the Korean firm POSCO. The Guardian has been investigating One Nation’s gas policies and its ties to Rinehart in a new podcast series, The Populist. Resources Minister Madeleine King suggested that One Nation’s decision to drop its support for the reservation policy indicated it had been swayed by industry concerns. "One Nation claims to support Aussie families, but the truth is they are always on the side of their big business backers," she said. Meanwhile, the opposition Coalition is considering backing the reservation policy, while the Greens are pushing for a 25% tax on gas exports instead. In June, One Nation released a statement saying that its previous support for a gas reservation policy had been reconsidered after discussions with industry and stakeholders. The party claimed the government’s proposed 20% reservation policy would harm onshore oil and gas development. Around the same time, One Nation received a $2 million aircraft from Hancock Prospecting, a company linked to Rinehart, and $1 million in donations from two of her associates. The party defended its position by saying its focus on encouraging public-private partnerships would reduce the need for a reservation policy that might distort the market.