One Nation Launches Victorian Campaign Amid Protests and Police Presence
The party unveiled its platform, focusing on crime and law enforcement, as demonstrators gathered outside.
One Nation launched its Victorian campaign Saturday in Melbourne with a significant police presence outside the venue as activists protested the party's platform. The event, held at Crown conference center, saw the attendance of over 750 supporters, federal party leader Pauline Hanson, and Victorian state president Warren Pickering.
Campaign Promises Focus on Crime and Policing
During the launch, One Nation announced a series of policies, prominently featuring a pledge to enhance police powers. Pickering stated that crime and bail laws are a key issue in the state, asserting that "people need to feel safe in their homes and places of work once more." The party proposes a "pragmatic approach" to increase police presence on streets, staff empty stations, and ensure bail laws and sentences align with the severity of crimes.
Polling data released this week by SEC Newgate indicates that one in three Victorians consider crime a top issue, a higher proportion than in other states. The same report showed voters favored the Coalition as best suited to manage crime and community safety, followed by Labor, with One Nation receiving 19 percent support on the issue.
Merchandise and Demonstrations
Inside the conference center, merchandise such as T-shirts and caps bearing the slogan "MAGA: Make Albo Go Away" were on display. Most of the party's candidates were also in attendance.
Protesters had declared their intention to demonstrate outside the launch in the days leading up to the event, with a larger rally planned for later in October. Protest spokeswoman Julie Monteiro stated the demonstrators aimed to confront One Nation supporters, saying, "Migrants are welcome, racists are not." A notable number of Victoria Police officers were present, observing the gathered demonstrators outside the venue.
Candidate Backgrounds
Saturday's launch marked a significant event for Pickering, who has previously faced scrutiny. He admitted to using illicit substances before joining the Australian Defence Force at age 28. In a press conference on September 8, Pickering described his past as containing "mistakes" but maintained he is the appropriate candidate for the leadership role. These admissions followed allegations published by The Australian newspaper, raised by his former partner.
Pickering is currently running for the lower house seat of Pakenham in the upcoming November state election. He had previously contested the 2022 state election and the 2025 federal Senate election without success.
A September Resolve Political Monitor poll, published by Nine Newspapers, indicated that Labor's primary vote remained steady at 25 percent, the Coalition rose to 27 percent, and One Nation held 23 percent.