Australia's One Nation taps Japanese-speaking banker as party leader in most populous state

PoliticsFinance veteran 'understands the system,' right-wing political movement's leader saysOne Nation's New South Wales leader Mike Newman spent about 25 years living in Japan and speaks the language fluently. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)RURIKA IMAHASHISeptember 1, 2026 13:37 JSTYULARA, Australia -- Australia's right-wing One Nation political party has chosen investment banker Mike Newman as its leader in New South Wales, the country's most populous state.Read NextTrading AsiaAustralia navigates anxiety and relief as housing prices dipImmigrationAustralia curbs working holiday visas amid migration backlash, vexing farmersPoliticsRising right wing risks hurting Australia's standing in Asia: foreign ministerInterviewAustralian ambassador to Japan floats Indo-Pacific network to counter ChinaNik