A woman sustained minor injuries after an altercation with volunteers outside a One Nation meet-and-greet event in Melbourne's north-west on Saturday. The incident occurred at the Ascot Vale Neighbourhood Centre, where Essendon candidate John Barnes was hosting the event.
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed officers were called to the scene about 1:30 p.m. after a passerby attempted to enter the ticketed event. The woman stated she was denied entry and subsequently pushed out of the venue, claiming she was forcibly removed. Footage showed the woman and a man lying on the pavement following the altercation.
"There was a disagreement between the female passerby and a person at the event," the police spokesperson said. The woman sustained minor injuries but did not require medical treatment. Police are continuing their inquiries, and no arrests have been made.
Event organizers disputed the woman's account, alleging she was the aggressor and threw one of their volunteers to the ground. Media representatives were also denied entry to the event.
John Barnes, a former AFL premiership player and Moonee Valley councillor, is One Nation's candidate for the Labor-held seat of Essendon. He has become a prominent figure for his advocacy on concussion-related injuries, having previously revealed he suffers from seizures, epilepsy, and rage fits which he believes may be linked to head injuries from his playing career. Barnes has also played a leading role in the concussion class action against the AFL.
One Nation is emerging as a significant political force in Victoria. A Resolve poll conducted in August indicated the party was within striking distance of Labor, with the Coalition leading at 27%, Labor at 25%, and One Nation close behind at 23%. This places Pauline Hanson's party just two points behind Labor and in contention to hold the balance of power in the state's Upper House ahead of the upcoming state election.