A campaign barbecue organised by the One Nation party on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula was met with an unexpected and symbolic protest over the weekend, as an Aboriginal artist staged a traditional smoking ceremony outside the event's entrance.
Uninvited Welcome to Country
The gathering, which had attracted approximately 200 supporters for candidate Darren Hercus, was intended to bolster his campaign for the upcoming Nepean by-election. This follows the resignation of former Liberal MP and tennis star Sam Groth. However, before attendees could enjoy the barbecue offerings, Bunurong artist Adam Magennis arrived uninvited and initiated a smoking ceremony on the footpath near the gate.
Cordial Exchange Amidst Billowing Smoke
As smoke began to drift toward the crowd, the party's Victorian president and Mr Hercus' campaign manager approached Mr Magennis. He explained, "Good morning, my name is Adam, welcoming you to country." In response, a party official acknowledged the gesture but noted the practical issue, stating, "Thank you mate, appreciate it. It's causing smoke, which is drifting onto the crowd, so it's a problem."
Mr Magennis assured them, "Yep, we need to be clean, probably 30 more seconds and it should be right." The interaction then turned surprisingly friendly, with casual conversation about the event's turnout as the ceremony continued. Mr Magennis added, "No cause for alarm," to ease any concerns.
Light-Hearted Aftermath and Political Context
Following the incident, One Nation chief of staff James Ashby made light of the situation during a radio interview with 2GB host Ben Fordham. He joked, "I forgot to get his telephone number. He would have been a good alternative for these state and federal governments who spend $7,000 on a smoking ceremony. At least his was free."
Ashby recounted the initial confusion, saying, "It was a concern initially because it was billowing and we thought the barbecue had got out of control. We then realised someone had lit a fire. He was there to make a statement — he got his 15 seconds of fame."
Broader Campaign Tensions
This protest occurred amidst a weekend of heightened political activity for One Nation, with leader Pauline Hanson also facing heckling while campaigning for Mr Hercus. Protesters told her to "go back where you come from" and labelled her "the most despicable politician we've ever had." Hanson responded defensively, urging critics to understand her policies.
Recent polling indicates that One Nation has gained significant traction in Victoria ahead of the next state election, adding context to the heightened scrutiny and protests surrounding their events. The smoking ceremony incident highlights the intersection of political campaigning, cultural expression, and public dissent in contemporary Australian politics.
