One Nation leader Pauline Hanson hosted a fundraising lunch at Melbourne's Vue de monde restaurant, with tickets priced at $2,000 per head. The event, held on a Tuesday in September 2026, drew a mix of individuals from business and political circles, including former Liberal Party figures and tech company executives.
Guests included former Victorian Liberal Party treasurer Andrew Abercrombie, CEO of Luyten 3D Ahmed Mahil, ABECK Group CEO Peter Angelico, former Liberal figure Luke Tobin, and Responsible Wagering Australia CEO Kai Cantwell. Bianca Colecchia, One Nation's secretary for Victoria and a former Miss Italy contestant, was among the few women present. Approximately 20 people attended the exclusive lunch at the restaurant located on the 55th floor of the Rialto skyscraper.
Mahil described the gathering as an opportunity to "give Hanson a fair go and listen to what she has to say," noting that colleagues, particularly in the tech sector, were curious about her message. He stated that Hanson's address to the attendees focused on restoring confidence in the state and rebalancing the relationship between employers and employees, highlighting concerns about remote work and workers' rights.
The attendees represented various professions, including business, law, accounting, and hospitality. The fundraiser occurs as One Nation prepares to field up to 100 candidates in the upcoming Victorian election on November 28. The party recently secured a significant victory in Western Australia, winning its first lower house seat in the state after a by-election in Secret Harbour. This marked a milestone for One Nation as it seeks to broaden its parliamentary presence across Australia.
One Nation Victoria leader Warren Pickering, a former army combat engineer, is guiding the party's campaign in the state. The party announced it had received approximately 1,200 applications for potential candidates. Among the named candidates are former Essendon player John Barnes, gym owner Ben Lucas, naturopath Elita Dabrowski, salon owner Michael Piastrino, and speech pathologist Donna Buxton. Former Liberal candidate Colleen Harkin has also joined One Nation for the Victorian election.
One Nation's policy platform for Victoria emphasizes energy, cost of living, farming, and health. Hanson has specifically advocated for the introduction of nuclear energy in the state, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining coal-fired power stations for energy diversity. This contrasts with her activities the previous day, when she campaigned in regional Victoria, focusing on support from farmers and criticizing renewable energy initiatives.