Pauline Hanson spends the first of her $3million ‘fire the liar’ donations on a cheeky stunt outside Albo’s office – as venue pulls the plug on sold-out One Nation event after anti-racist protesters threatened to demonstrate
Pauline Hanson has spent the first of $3million donated to One Nation on a ‘Fire the Liar’ billboard set outside Anthony Albanese‘s electorate office.
A war of words started earlier this week when Labor began asking its supporters for a $27 donation to ‘prevent One Nation from turning polling momentum into seats’.
Hanson fired back by launching her ‘Fire the Liar’ fundraiser at 6am on Wednesday, with suggested donations starting at $29.
One Nation claimed to have raised nearly $3million by Friday.
After parking the billboard outside Albanese’s electorate office in Marrickville on Friday, One Nation supporters cheered Hanson on social media.
‘Did she, did she, did she really just do that? Go One Nation!’ one person wrote.
‘Donated yesterday. Finally, my money being put to good use by a politician,’ another said.
‘Looks like someone’s about to get fired up about the truth! Keep up with the giant billboards, Pauline!’ a third said.
The billboard Pauline Hanson had organised to be put outside Anthony Albanese’s office
Hanson says her party was given $3million in donations after a rallying call this week
Some, however, thought Hanson could have spent the money on something more constructive as she makes her push towards the Lodge.
‘Using people’s money for attacks is childish bulls***. Advertising should be about your party and what you can and will do. Grow up,’ one person wrote.
It comes after a One Nation event was cancelled at a Melbourne restaurant on Friday afternoon after anti-racism protesters threatened to show up.
Italian restaurant Giorgio Casa, in Moonee Ponds, cancelled the sold-out event, according to Victoria Police.
‘Victoria Police is aware a venue in Moonee Ponds is no longer holding an event tonight. This decision was made by the venue,’ a police spokesperson said.
‘The decision not to hold the event was made by the venue.’
Police said they would continue to have a presence in the area due to the threat of a protest.
It was organised by activist group Campaign Against Fascism.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being taken to task by Hanson and One Nation as they become more popular in the polls
They were set to be joined by anti-racism groups No Room for Racism, Free Palestine Melbourne and Victorian Socialists outside the restaurant where Hanson and MP Barnaby Joyce were scheduled to speak.
In a message shared on social media, organisers wrote that they wanted to ‘drive Hanson out’ and there is ‘no room for fascism’ in Melbourne.
‘One Nation can’t be wished away or ignored. They’re trying to create a Trump-style Australia: deportations of migrants, overturning abortion rights, rampant Islamophobia and racist campaigns against Indigenous people,’ Campaign Against Fascism wrote on Facebook
The Moonee Valley City Council posted on social media on Friday, warning the public to dodge the area during the protest.
One Nation told nine.com.au the event was moved to a new venue but would not disclose where.
When she arrived in Melbourne, Hanson urged the protest groups to listen to her message and vision for the nation.
‘We don’t need violence and I hope it’s not violent because people have a right to come and listen to anyone else, or attend a function, no matter who they are, and hear what they have to say,’ she told reporters.
‘That’s common decency, respect, and it’s our democracy.’
One Nation leader Hanson with her chief of staff James Ashby, who called protesters ‘filth’
Hanson’s chief of staff James Ashby was less complimentary of the protest groups, calling them ‘filth’ during an interview on 3AW radio on Friday morning.
‘That says to me we’re getting cut through. When the filth come out and want to protest against One Nation, you know you’re doing something right,’ he said.
Hanson said at an event in Perth on Wednesday that her career in politics was much more than a job – and that she felt duty-bound to continue leading the party at 72 years old as it surges past Labor and the Coalition in the polls.
‘I believe that a lot of people in this country now are pinning their hopes on One Nation to make that change and difference for you,’ Hanson said.
‘Am I racist? No, I’m not a racist. Do I care if people want to call me that? No.’
Daily Mail contacted Giorgio Casa for comment.
