“Migrants are welcome racists are not,” rang out as protesters gathered near the Beckley Markets as Pauline Hanson arrived for her $50-a-head BBQ on October 4.
The snap protest was organised by Geelong against Racism (GAR), which includes Geelong Trades Hall, Socialist Alliance and Geelong Anarchist Communists.
Tim Gooden, one of the organisers who from Socialist Alliance told Green Left he was happy with the turn given they did not know the venue until earlier that same day.
“Hanson’s people kept it secret as they are worried about opposition.” GAR organisers said the BBQ did not attract 200 people, as local media claimed, as only about 50 cars came in and many had a sole occupant.
Many local residents who attended the protest expressed their concerns about One Nation’s (ON) racist politics.
Sarah Hathway, the Socialist Alliance candidate for Corio, who regularly campaigns at the Beckley Markets, told Green Left she had heard more residents saying that they will vote for ON.
“These are working class people who feel desperate. They have been sold out by Labor and the Liberals and ON is promising that life will get better with fewer migrants. But I’m afraid ON is not the answer.”
It was only a few years ago that a group of Nazis toured Djilang taking pictures of themselves with banners that said “Keep Geelong White,” Hathway said, adding that communities in Norlane and Corio reacted in horror. They responded by organising a inclusive campaign and a rally reflecting the city’s diversity.
Hathway said that many working class supporters of ON have very contradictory views.
“They don’t see themselves as racist and they don’t like Gina Reinhardt’s big business agenda. We should try and show them that there are better political alternatives to the major parties, such as Socialist Alliance, who are trying to unite people.”
The Geelong Advertiser reported on the ON candidates’ views, including John De Lorenza, ON candidate for Geelong, saying: “We haven’t got all the answers, but we need to know what the problems are so we can solve them. Another ON supporter promised to get rid of taxes and “big government”.
“Perhaps they could come and talk to us,” Hathway said. “We live here and we know the problems. Our solutions involve taxing the rich, providing more services and building public housing.”
Gooden said if Hanson returned before the November 28 elections, as she has promised, “we’ll be back with greater numbers opposing her wagon train of hate”.
After being outnumbered in Djilang in the morning, Hanson went to Ballarat that evening, where anti-racist activists, supported by Ballarat Trades Hall, rallied outside the venue.
Chris Burson, Geelong City Councillor and ON candidate for the Legislative Council in the Western Victoria Region attended both events. He has recently talked up replacing migrant workers on farms with prisoners, who have an addiction, chain gang-style.
Hathway said it showed how little ON understood addiction. “I work in the mental health drug and alcohol space and this suggestion is appalling. It will not address the underlying causes of addiction. Forced labour is more likely to increase mental health and substance use issues.”
[Sue Bull and Tim Gooden are running for the Socialist Alliance for the Legislative Council in the Western Victoria Region at the November 28 elections.]
