One Nation launches Victorian campaign with crime policies amid protests
One Nation held its Victorian campaign launch on Saturday with party leader Pauline Hanson, state president Warren Pickering and more than 750 supporters attending the event at Melbourne's Crown conference centre. The party announced policies centred on crime reduction and increased police powers, releasing merchandise including "MAGA: Make Albo Go Away" apparel. Heavy police presence was deployed outside as activists gathered to protest, with demonstrators declaring One Nation a "racist party" whilst supporters assembled inside.
The event marked a significant moment for Pickering, who is standing for the lower house seat of Pakenham in November's state election despite facing scrutiny over admissions of past drug use. According to the latest polling data from Resolve Political Monitor (September), Labor held 25 per cent primary support, the Coalition 27 per cent, and One Nation 23 per cent. Crime remains a top concern for Victorians, with one in three rating it as their principal issue—higher than in any other state—making it central to One Nation's campaign platform.
- One Nation launched Victorian campaign with 750 supporters and police monitoring activists.
- Crime control is central: the party promised more police and tougher bail laws.
- State leader Pickering facing November election despite controversy over past drug admissions.
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One Nation is an Australian political party led by Pauline Hanson that has grown in support, particularly around public safety and security concerns. Victoria's state election is scheduled for November 2026, with crime emerging as an especially significant voter concern—one in three Victorian residents identify it as their principal issue, higher than in any other Australian state.
One Nation's state president Warren Pickering is standing as a candidate for the lower house seat of Pakenham. Recent polling shows One Nation at around 23 per cent in Victoria, competitive with the Labor and Coalition parties at 25 and 27 per cent respectively.
The party has made law-and-order and public safety central to its campaign strategy, reflecting what voters identify as their top priorities. This focus on voter concerns has contributed to One Nation's competitive polling position in Victoria ahead of the state election.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
One Nation is addressing a demonstrated voter priority, with crime identified as the top issue for one in three Victorians—a higher proportion than any other state. Responding to this concern through policy proposals centred on police resources and crime reduction is a legitimate part of democratic electoral participation. As a registered political party with 23 per cent polling support, One Nation has the democratic right to campaign on issues that resonate with constituents. Dismissing their approach without engaging with the specific policy merits ignores the genuine public concern driving their appeal and bypasses meaningful policy debate.
The case against
One Nation's campaign warrants scrutiny given the party's history, which critics argue promotes divisive positions on immigration and race rather than addressing root causes of crime such as poverty, mental health, and social inequality. Whilst crime is a legitimate concern, police-focused approaches without broader social policy may prove ineffective or counterproductive, and the framing risks scapegoating vulnerable groups. Public opposition reflects legitimate democratic dissent about both the party's broader ideological direction and whether crime policy is being used as a vehicle for advancing other agendas. Voter concerns about crime deserve serious policy engagement, but critics question whether One Nation provides substantive solutions rather than populist positioning.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Pauline Hanson’s big Victorian pitch for One Nation with MAGA hats and crime crackdown promise – as police face off with protesters”.