Protesters clashed with Pauline Hanson supporters outside a One Nation fundraiser in Melbourne, with one man issued a move-on notice. Michael Nelson, recently convicted for disrupting an Anzac Day service, was restrained by police outside the South Melbourne venue. In online videos, he is heard saying "Hail Pauline Hanson … the great white hope" while being handcuffed, later accusing police of arresting him for supporting Hanson. Victoria Police confirmed no formal arrests were made, but a 22-year-old man was directed to move on.
Venue Change Sparks Controversy
The clashes occurred after One Nation relocated the Moonee Ponds fundraiser, where Hanson and former National MP Barnaby Joyce were scheduled to speak. The original venue, Giorgio Casa, cancelled the booking on Friday afternoon due to safety concerns over planned counter-protests by anti-fascist and socialist groups. Hanson claimed the last-minute change was due to "too many bookings," not protests. "Do you think I’d be deterred by the protesters? Think twice. No," she said.
Protest and Police Response
About 30 protesters gathered near the new South Melbourne location, where police maintained a visible presence. After Nelson was moved on, the event concluded without major escalation, though CCTV footage will be reviewed. At a media conference on Saturday, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen criticized One Nation, stating, "One Nation has anger, but not answers. One Nation has slogans, but not solutions." He warned that a coalition of Angus Taylor, Barnaby Joyce, and Pauline Hanson would lead to chaos, contrasting with Labor's stable government under Anthony Albanese.
