More than 500 tickets across two events were snapped up in less than 24 hours as voters from Dromana to Portsea clamoured for the chance to meet the controversial Queensland senator.

 

The One Nation leader will join local candidate Darren Hercus for a ticketed meet and greet at Rosebud Football Netball Club on Friday night before a barbecue breakfast in Dromana on Saturday morning.

 

Friday’s event cost $10 while the breakfast was free, however, those wanting to attend had to register.

 

Ms Hanson and Mr Hercus are are also expected to take to the streets of Rosebud on Saturday morning.

 

Mr Hercus said the interest in Ms Hanson and his campaign was “intense”.

 

“The tickets to both events went so quickly,” he said.

 

“We actually released some extra tickets for the Rosebud event because demand was so strong.”

 

The free barbecue was initially a pop up on Rye foreshore but was moved indoors to cope with demand and possible wet weather.

 

Mr Hercus said he was excited to have Ms Hanson’s support ahead of early voting opening on Wednesday.

 

“This by-election will set an important precedent for November’s state election,” he said.

 

“It’s a good test of how voters are really feeling.”

 

Ms Hanson’s visit comes as the race for the Mornington Peninsula seat, formerly held by Sam Groth, heats up, and as One Nation continues to surge in the polls.

 

Mr Groth won the traditionally Liberal-held seat back from one-term Labor MP Chris Brayne in 2022, securing a margin of 6.4 per cent.

 

Mr Hercus had an early win last week when his name was drawn first on the ballot paper.

 

When voters head to the polls on May 2 — Mr Hercus’ name will appear four spots above the frontrunner, Liberal candidate, Anthony Marsh — giving him an early advantage.

 

Scoring first spot typically protects candidates against donkey votes, as disengaged voters often number the boxes in the order they appear.

 

The Liberals are becoming increasingly concerned they could lose the seat to One Nation, at least until the election.

 

It would be a devastating blow to Jess Wilson, and more importantly president Phil Davis, given Mr Marsh was a pick of the state executive not grassroots members.

 

Mr Hercus was looking forward to discussing key campaign issues with Ms Hanson, including the future of Rosebud Hospital.

 

Mr Marsh has promised $340m for the 65-year-old hospital.

 

But Mr Hercus said a public-private partnership was “the best option to provide the health care the Mornington Peninsula deserves”.

 

“Is there even going to be $340m to spend on the hospital if the Liberal’s win power in November?,” he said.

 

Mr Hercus first met Ms Hanson briefly at the Melbourne premiere of “A Super Progressive Movie” earlier in the year.

 

The encounter had a “significant influence” on the Safety Beach small business owner’s decision to join the race for Nepean.

 

“She is genuine. I think people are responding to that,” he said.

 

Ms Hanson comes to Victoria fresh from her party’s historic wins in the recent South Australian state elections.

 

One Nation last month won the rural seat of Ngadjuri in the state’s mid-north, becoming the first party outside Labor, Liberal and Nationals to secure a lower house seat in SA for more than 90 years.

 

The party won a total of four lower house seats in SA.

 

“Pauline was out and about in SA supporting the One Nation candidates and I think that really helped,” Mr Hercus said.