During Borbidge 's premiership the party faced a strong challenge from the rise of Pauline Hanson 's One Nation party that challenged on issues such as multiculturalism , gun ownership and native title which were well received in the Nationals ' heartland of rural and regional Queensland . The Nationals faced a sharp backlash against the introduction of gun control laws after the Port Arthur massacre . At the 1998 election the Coalition lost much support to One Nation . The election also saw the Nationals poll fewer votes than the Liberals for the first time in over a quarter of a century despite winning more seats , an outcome that would recur for the next decade . Borbidge held out hope of staying in office after leakage of Coalition preferences delivered seven seats to One Nation that would have otherwise gone to Labor , leaving Labor one seat short of a majority . However , this depended on the support of both independents in the chamber , and one of them threw his support to Labor , ending what proved to be the last National-led government in Queensland
Port Arthur massacre
Port Arthur massacre (Australia)
National Party of Australia – Queensland