Donuts, Merchandise, and 'Make Albo Go Away' Hats at One Nation's Victorian Launch
One Nation’s campaign debut in Victoria unfolded at Crown in Melbourne with a distinct blend of populist spectacle and partisan merchandise, drawing approximately 1,000 supporters to a sold-out rally. The event, which served as the party's formal entry into the November state election contest, featured catering that included three specific varieties of doughnuts: strawberry icing with sprinkles, chocolate icing with sprinkles, and cinnamon sugar.
Beyond the food, the launch was heavily commercialized with a wide array of branded goods. Attendees were offered merchandise including blue hats emblazoned with "MAGA," an acronym the party redefined as "Make Albo Go Away." Other items available for purchase included three types of caps, orange T-shirts, and "Please Explain" playing cards. The novelty section also featured Pauline Hanson bobbleheads, one attendee describing the item as a "Pauline pothole detector." Party leader Warren Pickering appeared at the launch following Victorian upper house member Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell and candidate Colleen Harkin.
Threats of Imprisonment Mirror US Political Rhetoric
The tone of the campaign launch shifted sharply from commercial promotion to aggressive political threats. MC and candidate Mark Nicholson used his platform to threaten that former Victorian premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan would be jailed by Christmas if One Nation won the upcoming election.
This rhetoric drew immediate comparisons to American politics. The Brisbane Times noted that the threat mirrored a decade-old comment by US President Donald Trump, who had suggested he would "lock up" his opponent Hillary Clinton if elected. The outlet highlighted that both Trump and America served as significant influences on the style of the event.
Premier Ben Carroll responded to the threats with strong condemnation, describing the suggestion to jail former premiers as "deeply alarming." Carroll warned against the "Americanisation" of Australia’s judicial system, signaling a sharp divide between established political figures and One Nation’s campaign strategy.
Playlist Choices Signal Cultural Alignment
The atmosphere at Crown was curated through a specific musical selection that blended Australian rock classics with contemporary American rap. The event playlist included local staples such as Daddy Cool’s "Eagle Rock," Rose Tattoo’s "We Can’t Be Beaten," and AC/DC’s "Thunderstruck." However, the entrance of party leader Pauline Hanson was accompanied by US rap artist Skrxilla’s track "Big Time," further underscoring the event's transnational stylistic influences.
As One Nation prepares for the November state election, the combination of its merchandise, musical choices, and rhetorical threats marks a distinct departure from traditional Australian political campaigning, aligning itself more closely with the populist movements seen across the Pacific.