One Nation fundraiser moved from Melbourne restaurant amid planned protests

A spokesperson for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation says police expressed ‘concern’ about possible Protest activity at the fundraiser at the Melbourne restaurant. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP View image in fullscreen A spokesperson for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation says police expressed ‘concern’ about possible Protest activity at the fundraiser at the Melbourne restaurant. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP One Nation fundraiser moved from Melbourne restaurant amid planned protests Event to go ahead at an undisclosed location after Moonee Ponds restaurant cancelled at the eleventh hour Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast One Nation has been forced to move a planned fundraising event to an undisclosed location in Melbourne, after the venue decided not to hold it due to planned Protest activity. The event was due to be attended by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce. A spokesperson for the party told Guardian Australia on Friday that it would move the fundraiser from Giorgio Casa, a bistro in Moonee Ponds, after Victorian police “did express concern about Protest activity at the event”. The One Nation spokesperson added that the event was “sold out” but would not confirm how many people were expected to attend. A spokesperson for Victoria police said officers were not aware of any threats made towards the event, and the decision not to hold the event was made by the venue. Victoria police confirmed they were aware the event was no longer being held at the Moonee Ponds location but said “police will maintain a presence in the area due to potential Protest activity”. The Australian federal police referred inquiries by Guardian Australia into whether officers were investigating the issue to state police. A number of groups were planning to protest the event, including the “Campaign against Racism & Fascism” group which called for Victorians to “fight back”. “We need to stand up and fight back. All anti-racists and anti-fascists need to join this demonstration next week,” the group said. The Moonee Ponds city council had also warned locals not to attend the area, in a post to social media on Friday. The council wrote that Victoria police had advised of the planned protest and that officers would be present. They added that there would also be temporary road closures for up to four hours. A One Nation event in Perth, attended by Hanson on Wednesday, was also met with hundreds of protesters, who reportedly shouted “Pauline Hanson go to hell, take your racists there as well”. Explore more on these topics Australia news One Nation Melbourne Australian politics news Share Reuse this content