Pauline Hanson didn’t get the warm welcome she may have hoped for at a sold-out Perth fundraiser last night.
As the One Nation leader addressed supporters at the Midland event, hundreds of protesters lined Victoria Road outside the Crooked Spire cafe.
Protesters outside Pauline Hanson’s Perth fundraiser Pia Wallis
There were boos echoing from the large crowd, many of whom were carrying signs opposing her policies, particularly immigration.
“Racism won’t pay the rent” and “hope not hate” were among the signs on display.
The protests were organised by WA Socialists and WA Greens, with some protesters travelling from across the country to be there.
There was a heavy police presence to maintain the peace, as those going inside the event lined the opposite side of the road with some words exchanged between the two sides.
Earlier yesterday, after touching down in Perth, Hanson didn’t rule out working with the WA Liberals to form Government.
It comes as WA Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia faces speculation he’ll soon resign, a move that would trigger a by-election and put One Nation to the test in Western Australia.
The Senior Labor Minister is forced to defend his place in Parliament over claims he is set to resign in the next month.
After touching down in Perth, Pauline Hanson didn’t rule out working with the WA Liberals to form Government. 9News
Hanson made the trip west with an early pitch to voters.
“Western Australia and Queensland are very closely aligned but the people throughout the whole country have had enough, they’ve had a gutful,” Hanson said.
“[It’s] a chance to get our country back, stop mass migration, look after small businesses, industries and manufacturing.”
The Premier said Senator Hanson is welcome in WA but that’s where the niceties stopped.
“One Nation, they talk up a big game don’t they but they’ve got nothing to offer the people of Western Australia,” Roger Cook said.
Hanson has not ruled out a possible partnership with the WA Liberals to push Cook from the top spot after three successive terms.
WA Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia said he has no plans to resign despite speculation. 9News
“Its about working together to oust this toxic Labor-Greens government,” Hanson said.
“That’s what I’m about and I’m happy to work with anyone who wants to have that end result.”
Her comments come as the Opposition continue calls for the Corrective Services Minister to resign.
But the member for Secret Harbour not biting, rejecting claims he plans to leave office – a move which would spark a by-election in the southern suburbs seat.
“That particular rumour comes around every couple of months so I wouldn’t stress over that,” Papalia said.
A by-election in Secret Harbour is still a hypothetical but voters 9News spoke with remain hesitant when it comes to One Nation.
“I’m not really happy with any of them [major parties] but I’m certainly not going to vote for Pauline Hanson,” one voter said.