Hanson pledges to work with Coalition in Victoria as protesters target moved fundraiser

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has promised to work with a future Coalition government in Victoria at a glitzy fundraising event in Melbourne’s south, swapping venues at the eleventh hour as anti-racism protesters chased the party across town to rally outside.

Some demonstrators who had planned to rally outside the far-right party’s original venue in Melbourne’s north were thrown off by the last-minute venue change, but others poured into cars to head south as news started to filter out about the new location.

Victoria Police confirmed that Giorgio Casa, the Italian restaurant in Moonee Ponds that was to host the cocktail party on Friday night, cancelled the event just hours before doors were due to open, though police said they were not aware of any threats made against the venue.

Outside the event, as an early protester chanted “Nazi scum off our streets”, Hanson took aim at Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, whose leadership has been threatened by recent anonymous rumours of a potential challenge.

“Look, the people will have their say at the next election,” Hanson said. “She’ll be judged on her performance as premier for the state. But ... She’s going to struggle to even keep her seat, hold her seat, and I’ve heard rumours that they will oust her before the election.”

Hanson denied protesters had prompted the change of venue. “We had too many bookings, people wanting to come,” she told reporters outside.

“So that’s why we had to change location. Do you think I’d be deterred by the protesters?”

But at her side, One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce decried the protests and need for such a strong police presence. “I mean, I thought we’ve arrived at Melbourne, not Pyongyang,” he said. “This is political debate. People are allowed to have it. We’re a free nation, and, you know.”

While Hanson and Joyce were quickly whisked inside, a line of men in suits and women in their cocktail finest were forced to wait outside the venue as more anti-racism protesters poured in from Moonee Ponds. Tickets to the event cost between $200 and $500, and $2000 for a meet and greet with Hanson and Joyce.

Some outside held anti-Hanson banners and chanted: “No racists, no fear, Hanson is not welcome here.”

“I wonder when they’ll open the bar,” laughed one guest. Cheers erupted from attendees waiting outside as a “Fire the Liar” bus taking aim at the Labor Party rolled by, tooting its horn.

Spotted inside the glitzy event were some of One Nation’s staunchest supporters, including Lee Hanson, Pauline’s daughter, Adam Giles, the CEO of Hancock Agriculture and former chief ministe