Protesters hurled abuse at Pauline Hanson at a Hawthorn pub on Monday night, just hours after One Nation launched its Victorian election campaign by only announcing seven candidates and releasing no detailed policies.
As Senator Hanson arrived at the Tower Hotel, dozens of protesters screamed “racists out” and waved signs declaring “smash racism anti-colonialism class war 4 liberation”.
A heavy police presence blocked off the streets around the hotel as they shielded Senator Hanson and One Nation supporters from about 100 protesters. One group of protesters managed to get past the police blockade and chanted “you support a pedo” and “unite to fight the right” and “put the racist in the bin” while holding signs declaring “no nazis never again” and “f**k Israel”. Victoria Police and Public Order Response officers separated the protesters from One Nation supporters.
Inside, Senator Hanson and her newly announced Victorian candidates greeted supporters for about two hours before taking to the stage to address the crowd.
There were about 150 people attending the event, with tickets costing $120 each.
One Nation’s candidate for the northern metro region, Mark Nicholson, began the speeches by declaring tonight a “turning point for Victoria”.
“What a stark contrast this room is to the banshees outside,” he said.
“In this room is the beginning of something very special.
“We are the civil ones and we are going to bring this state back”
Mr Nicholson said One Nation would rebuild the budget, restore safety to become the toughest state on crime and restore trust in the government.
“Real change and change you can trust,” he said.
During her address, Senator Hanson told the packed room that a treaty with Indigenous Australians would be the first thing she will get rid of, if elected to government.
“You might have Ben Carroll as the head of Labour Party in this state but I tell you what, he doesn’t instil confidence in me by hearing him speak,” she said.
“He’s part of the problem.”
One crowd member could be heard saying “not my premier” in response
Senator Hanson got emotional as she thanked her supporters for attending the event.
Most of the protesters outside the event left once the rain started but a small group remained outside the hotel at about 7.30pm.
Less than four months out from the Victorian election, One Nation has yet to unveil a detailed set of policies and only announced seven candidates on Monday.
Senator Hanson – who named state president Warren Pickering as its Victorian leader and candidate for Pakenham, along with its seven lead candidates for the Legislative Council, for the November 28 poll – said the party would start announcing its lower house candidates in
84 of 88 seats shortly .
“Policies will be released in time prior to the election so people know what our policies are,” Senator Hanson said, adding that she wanted to avoid making “policy on the run”.
It’s understood, after conducting 182 interviews, the party has decided on all but four candidates for the 88 lower house seats.
In a heated press conference with Senator Hanson in Melbourne which the ABC and The Guardian were banned from attending, Mr Pickering said Victoria was “on the precipice of social and economic collapse” and One Nation was the answer to save the state.
“As we contest this election to govern what is arguably the most fiscally and morally bankrupt state in Australian history, we’ve certainly got our work cut out for us,” he said.
Pressed as to what One Nation’s policies for Victoria were, Mr Pickering said details would start being released in the next couple of weeks.
Mr Pickering said while the party’s crime policy was still to be released, it would include the recruitment of more police officers.
“We (will) fill the 40 unmanned stations and will ensure we have a reserve force on hand for times of increased activity,” he said.
Mr Pickering said Victoria was “blowing money” on things he said it didn’t need, including the First Nations Assembly, renewables subsidies and the Suburban Rail Loop, and said One Nation would support a Royal Commission into corruption.
“A One Nation government royal commission won’t be a soft touch: it will have teeth and heads will roll,” he said.
Asked about the prospect of a Liberal-One Nation coalition, Mr Pickering said he “absolutely” expected One Nation to be able to govern in its own right.
“We don’t intend to have to share government,” he said.
Senator Hanson slammed Labor and the Liberals over their handling of the state, labelling Victoria a “basket case” when it came to crime.
“People must have honesty in their politicians, integrity, and knowing that they are there to represent them, not the unions, not big business, no one else but the people of this state, which is very important to each and every one of the people in the state, that’s why they’re crying out for change,” Senator Hanson said.
“That’s why we’re getting so much support … people say One Nation is the only party that we really trust to turn it around to address the issues.
“People are not happy with the opposition or the Labor government. They’ve allowed it (Victoria) to get to this state.”
Current One Nation MP Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Liberal defector Colleen Harkin, animator and company director Mark Nicholson, lawyer Aaron Sanford, office manager and volunteer Natalie Adams, Geelong councillor Chris Burson and human resources manager Fiona Lopez were unveiled as One Nation upper house candidates on Monday.
Senator Hanson said the party would run candidates in every seat, with more to be announced soon.
Senator Hanson defended banning the ABC and The Guardian from her press conference after an ABC journalist was earlier denied entry.
“I’m not putting up with their spin, their lies… I want truth and honesty.” she said.
Read related topics:One NationPauline Hanson