A fundraising cocktail event organised by One Nation in Melbourne was cancelled on Thursday after anti-racism groups announced plans to protest outside the venue where the gathering was due to take place.
The event was scheduled to be held at Giorgio Casa, an Italian restaurant in Moonee Ponds, in Melbourne’s north-west. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and federal MP Barnaby Joyce were expected to attend as guest speakers.
Victoria Police confirmed that the venue cancelled the booking just hours before the fundraiser was due to begin. Police also stated they were not aware of any direct threats made against the restaurant.
Several activist groups, including No Room for Racism, the Victorian Socialists and Free Palestine Melbourne, had publicly announced plans to gather near the venue before the event started. Organisers described the demonstration as a protest against what they consider One Nation’s policies and political messaging.
At the same time, reports emerged on social media that some right-wing activists were discussing attending the venue in support of the event, raising concerns about possible tensions between opposing groups.
One Nation has not confirmed whether the fundraiser has been relocated to another venue or cancelled entirely.
A spokesperson for Giorgio Casa said details surrounding the cancellation were still being clarified after a notice announcing the event’s cancellation reportedly appeared and later disappeared from the restaurant’s front window.
The incident highlights the continuing controversy surrounding One Nation and its leader Pauline Hanson, particularly in Melbourne, where opposition to the party has a long history.
In 1996, shortly after Hanson entered federal politics, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered at Treasury Gardens to protest against comments widely criticised as racist, including her statement that Australia was being “swamped by Asians”.
The following year, when Hanson officially launched One Nation at Dandenong Town Hall, clashes broke out between protesters and supporters, leading to violent scenes outside the venue.
The cancellation of Thursday’s fundraiser comes amid renewed political tensions as One Nation seeks to expand its support base ahead of future electoral contests, while opponents continue to mobilise against the party’s presence in public events.
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