Hundreds of people have protested outside a One Nation event in Perth as Pauline Hanson told supporters Labor seats in the west were high on her “hit list”.
Senator Hanson told supporters the party was surging in popularity because it is the only one speaking out against what she called “mass migration”.
Protesters shouted chants against racism and One Nation. (ABC News: Andrew O’Connor)
Police estimated about 400 people gathered to protest outside Senator Hanson’s sundowner event at a cafe in Perth’s eastern suburb of Midland.
They chanted “Pauline Hanson go to hell, take your racists there as well”, and “migrants allowed, but racists are not”.
There was a decent police presence at the protest. (ABC News: Andrew O’Connor)
A smaller group of counter-protesters chanted back, “we can’t hear you”.
Recent polls have indicated One Nation is currently the most popular party, ahead of Labor and the Coalition.
ABC not allowed into event
The ABC was not allowed into Senator Hanson’s event, but in a live feed of her speech she told supporters the country had been “driven into the ground by politicians and bureaucrats”, but change was coming at the ballot box.
“It clearly now shows that people want One Nation. They want what we are offering,”
she said.
Senator Hanson said she was offering “freedom” and that her party was pro-business and tough on crime. She also said One Nation would offer a route to home ownership for those wanting to get on the property ladder as she criticised the government for leaving people “taxed to the hilt”.
Pauline Hanson met with supporters on Wednesday night. (ABC News: Andrew O’Connor)
She appeared to try to dismiss accusations of racism levelled at her through her decades-long career, saying she embraced those migrants who assimilated.
She said One Nation’s stance was against “mass migration”.
“[It] has destroyed not only our standard of living and people owning their own home or haven’t been able to put a roof over their head,” she said.
“We’ve actually seen people come into this country that are not compatible, they shouldn’t be here and they shouldn’t have been allowed in the first place.”
To loud cheers, Senator Hanson said: “And I don’t have to apologise for saying that.”
“Because that’s why you are supporting One Nation. We are the only ones to stand up for that,” she added.
She said migration numbers should be dramatically cut back.
Labor seats targeted
The One Nation leader promised to target Labor seats at the next election.
“There’s a couple there from Western Australia, so they’re going to be on our hit list,” she said.
“I’m going to get rid of those useless ones that have done nothing but destroy this nation. We will take our nation back.”
One Nation state MP and WA Leader Rod Caddies said it was the start of a movement for change in Western Australia.
“Just remember in Western Australia tonight you are a part of the crowd from the moment we are going to move forward,” he said.
Rod Caddies hopes One Nation will win lower house seats. (Supplied)
“They said we weren’t going to get anyone elected at the last state election and the last federal election. We proved them wrong, now we’re going to prove them wrong.
“We’re going to win lower house seats in Western Australia at the next federal election. And we’re going to cover every part of this state.”
Liberals open to deal
New Liberal Party national president Tony Abbott has supported preference deals with One Nation, and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has indicated he’s open to a deal with the party.
WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has said he would be willing to preference One Nation above Labor on how-to-vote cards in some electorates.
The protest was organised by WA Socialists. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)
The protesters had converged outside the venue well before the event started.
Some carried signs reading “Perth says no to Hanson”, “blame billionaires, not migrants” and “Pauline Hanson racists out”.
A car is seen near the protest with the text “F*** Pauline”. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)
A car was parked outside the event with ‘F*** Pauline’ spray-painted on the side. Police searched the car’s boot and issued the driver with a move on notice.
Senator Hanson is due to give a speech at a $60-a-head “hour of power” breakfast event Thursday in Midland, hosted by the Swan Chamber of Commerce.
