One Nation has established a new branch in Fremantle, its first in Western Australia outside a primarily rural area. The first branch meeting was held on Saturday 30 May and was protested by the WA Socialists, who wanted to send a message that migrants are welcome in Freo, racists are not.
The launch of the new branch was not publicly advertised, but someone leaked the location a day before the meeting. WA Socialists then made the snap decision to protest the event at the Fremantle Bowling Club.
Chants of “Pauline Hanson go to Hell, take your racists there as well!” and “Go home racists, go home!” met the small handful of well-to-do One Nation members coming through in dribs and drabs. Several locals joined the demonstration, outraged that such an event would be taking place on their own street.
WA Socialists campaign director Alexis Vassiley told Red Flag:
“We protested to send a message that Muslims are welcome, migrants are welcome, all of the people One Nation scapegoats and demonises are welcome. Racism and bigotry are not. The Liberals ape her policies, Labor shakes hands with her and the media gives her dream coverage. So it’s up to parties like WA Socialists and grassroots activists to stand up and fight back.”
If the left and working-class movement has a home in Perth, it’s Fremantle. Vassiley spoke about its legacy:
“Fremantle is a city with a rich working-class and anti-racist history. One of the malls is even named after the communist unionist Paddy Troy. And it was built by migrants. One Nation isn’t welcome here.”
The docks have been the site of many militant workers’ actions, including strikes against war and in solidarity with the Indonesian struggle for independence from Dutch colonialism. The Esplanade still hosts one of Australia’s largest annual May Day marches. The fact that One Nation chose Fremantle, of all places, to establish its first urban branch in Perth is a sign of their confidence and momentum. It certainly will not be the last place either: One Nation’s website declares an intention to establish branches in every federal electorate in the country.
The day was won by the WA Socialists, but unfortunately, making opposition known outside a single branch meeting won’t be enough to stop Pauline Hanson’s rise to the political mainstream. There will be more new branches, and polling consistently demonstrates that One Nation has become a major player in the electoral sphere. The most recent DemosAU poll suggested that if a federal election were held right now, One Nation would become the second largest force in Parliament, with up to 58 seats in the House of Representatives.
The Socialist Party around the country is building an anti-racist and anti-capitalist group against Hanson and against the status quo of Australian capitalism. WA Socialists plan to protest Hanson when she visits Perth this month as well.
WA Socialists will be protesting Pauline Hanson at 5:30pm on 10 June, meeting outside Midland Train Station. Follow WA Socialists on Instagram @wa_socialists for updates.
