One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has sparked fresh controversy at a 'Put Australia First' rally in Melbourne, telling supporters she would not move to Victoria. The event, held on Sunday, saw clashes between anti-immigration protesters and counter-demonstrators, with riot police forced to intervene.
Hundreds of Hanson's supporters marched from Flinders Street to Flagstaff Gardens, waving Australian and boxing kangaroo flags. They were met by anti-racist protesters who attempted to disrupt the rally, leading to scuffles and fistfights. A heckler using a megaphone with blaring sirens drowned out Hanson's speech, shouting 'racists' and 'Go home Pauline' before being removed by police.
Addressing the crowd from a truck converted into a stage, Hanson said: 'I'm not from Victoria and, to tell you the truth, I wouldn't move to Victoria.' She criticised the state's Labor government and said the Liberals had been 'not much better'. Despite her comments, she vowed to fight for Victorian supporters: 'We will fight for you to give you representation in Parliament.'
Hanson focused her speech on immigration, blaming high intake for Australia's housing and cost-of-living crisis. She accused the government of running a 'Ponzi scheme', saying: 'The government keeps increasing immigration because they're wasting taxpayers' money and need more people paying taxes to prop up the system.' She called for reduced immigration until Australia 'cleans up its own backyard'.
The rally also featured a pre-recorded message from far-right British activist Tommy Robinson, who is banned from entering Australia. Police arrested one man for possessing knuckle dusters and are investigating reports of a Nazi symbol being displayed. One Nation's support has surged to 18 per cent in recent polling, largely at the expense of the Liberal Party.
