• Activists affiliated with the Refugee Action Collective – Victoria called for a protest outside of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center, opposite Crown Casino, in Melbourne from 17:30 (local time) on January 29. 
• The demonstration will be held to protest the “One Nation” event organized by Senator Pauline Hanson at the Crown Casino, and to support a more liberal immigration policy in Australia. 

1. Based on precedent from previous immigration-related protests as well as the heightened tensions in recent months over the issue, especially following Australia Day/Invasion Day protests on January 26, turnout at the slated gathering can be expected to range between the low-to-mid hundreds. Given reports of clashes across multiple locations on January 26, the high-profile nature of the protested event, and the alleged throwing of an explosive at an Invasion Day rally in Perth, the authorities in Victoria can be expected to elevate security measures. These will likely include the deployment of police personnel and installation of barricades. 
2. There remains a latent risk of clashes between protesters, police personnel, and ad-hoc anti-immigration counter protesters or attendees of the One Nation event. The authorities are likely to be more vigilant for potential violations of the new federal hate speech laws, passed on January 20 in the aftermath of the December 14, 2025, Bondi Beach shooting. This is evidenced by the detention of an individual on January 26, suspected of using hate speech at an Australia Day rally in Melbourne. Should the protesters engage in behavior perceived as disruptive, such as sloganeering or blocking roads, the police are likely to respond with crowd control measures including temporary detentions. Disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic can be expected in the vicinity of the aforementioned protest location on January 29.  

Those operating or residing in Melbourne on January 29 are advised to maintain vigilance in the vicinity of the aforementioned location due to the slated protest and associated risk of scuffles, while allotting for travel disruptions.