One Nation’s Pauline Hanson Vows to Bring Down ‘Toxic’ Victorian Labor Government as Protests Erupt Outside Fundraiser
- Pauline Hanson promises to work with Coalition to oust Victorian Labor government as polling shows Labor’s support plummets to 21% of primary vote
- Protesters clash with police outside fundraising event, with one man pinned to the ground and given a direction to move on
- Hanson receives warm welcome from supporters, vowing to help Victorians who ‘have had enough’ of Labor government
- Event was relocated from original venue due to concerns about protests, with Hanson denying the change was due to demonstrators
A dramatic and defiant Pauline Hanson has vowed to join forces with the Coalition to bring down the ‘toxic’ Victorian Labor government, as protesters clashed with police outside a fundraising event in Melbourne.
The One Nation leader’s comments came as polling revealed Labor’s support has collapsed to just 21% of the primary vote, placing them behind both One Nation and the Coalition.
Hanson and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce were scheduled to attend the event, titled “An Evening for Victoria”, at Canvas House in south Melbourne on Friday night.
However, the evening was marred by protests, with demonstrators holding banners and beating drums as the pair arrived at the venue.
Chants rang out in the background as police deployed a significant presence, with footage showing officers pinning a 22-year-old man to the ground before giving him a direction to move on.
Despite the disruption, Hanson received a warm welcome from supporters inside the venue, where she announced her willingness to strike a deal with the Coalition ahead of Victoria’s November election.
“I will work with the coalition government because who needs to go is the toxic Labor government,” she told the crowd.
“People have had enough and we’re here to help them.” The event was originally scheduled to be held at Italian restaurant Casa Giorgio in Moonee Ponds, but the venue cancelled the booking due to concerns about protests.
Victoria Police confirmed on Saturday that no arrests were made, but the police presence was a stark reminder of the escalating tensions in the lead-up to the state election.
Hanson denied the venue change was due to the protesters, saying there were simply too many people wanting to attend. “We had too many bookings, people wanting to come,” she said.
“So that’s why we had to change location. Do you think I’d be deterred by the protesters?
Think twice. No.
We just had so many people who wanted to come.”
The polling released on Saturday morning shows Labor’s support in Victoria has collapsed to just 21% of the primary vote, placing them behind both One Nation and the Coalition.
Pollsters say if this trajectory continues, Victoria is looking at a change of government in November.
The numbers are a stark warning for Labor, who will need to regroup and refocus their efforts if they are to retain power in the state.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The implications of Labor’s collapse in Victoria are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the state’s economy, education system, and healthcare.
Security analysts say the instability could also have national security implications, as Victoria’s porous borders and lack of law enforcement resources make it a prime target for organized crime groups.
“The Victorian government’s failure to address these issues has created a power vacuum that is being exploited by groups like One Nation,” one analyst warned.
Law enforcement insiders also warn that the rise of One Nation could have significant implications for community safety, as the party’s hardline stance on crime and immigration could lead to increased tensions between law enforcement and marginalized communities.
“We’re already seeing a rise in hate crimes and racial tensions in Victoria, and One Nation’s rhetoric is only fueling the fire,” one insider said.
Industry observers believe the collapse of Labor’s support in Victoria could also have significant economic consequences, as the state’s business community becomes increasingly nervous about the prospect of a change in government.
“Investors are already spooked by the uncertainty, and a One Nation-Coalition deal could lead to a period of economic instability,” one observer warned.
