Australia's politics were marred by protests on Friday as Pauline Hanson supporters clashed with anti-fascist and socialist activists outside a Melbourne venue hosting a One Nation fundraiser. The event, which featured former National MP Barnaby Joyce, was relocated due to safety concerns over planned counter-protests.
Hanson denied that the last-minute change in venue was related to the protests, instead claiming it was due to 'too many bookings'. However, sources close to the original venue said they had cancelled the booking due to safety concerns.
The clashes occurred outside a South Melbourne venue, where police maintained a visible presence. One protester, Michael Nelson, was given a direction to move on by police after becoming involved in the incident. No formal arrests were made during the protests, according to Victoria Police.
On Saturday, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen responded to questions about the surge in support for One Nation, stating that the party had 'anger but not answers' and would lead to 'chaos' in government if elected. He claimed that Labor was providing real solutions and change, while opposition parties like One Nation were only offering slogans.