Warning: The video in this story contains language that may offend some people.
Hundreds of Australian counter-protesters drowned out the words of anti-transgender activist Posie Parker during an event in Tasmania, with her arrival to Aotearoa imminent.
Kellie-Hay Keen-Minshull or better known as Posie Parker's Let Women Speak tour has caused uproar in Australia following her fiery event in Melbourne on Sunday, which saw a fascist group turn up and perform Nazi salutes. They also clashed with LGBTQIA counter-protesters.
But it was Parker's event in Tasmania on Tuesday, where hundreds of counter-protesters drowned out anything she said, even with the help of a microphone.
It's reported around 40 of Parker's supporters gathered outside Hobart's State Parliament building with her but were dramatically outnumbered. Counter-protesters pushed Parker and her supporters back onto the steps of Parliament and continued to chant.
Counter-protesters can be heard chanting "Posie Parker you go home, you've got Nazis on your side".
One video from Parker's event shows her attempting to control the environment as many counter-protesters dominate her event.
"Who's in charge of police operations? [They're] supposed to be protecting us," Parker said visibly frustrated.
As Parker moves her phone, which is attached to a tripod, she can be heard saying; "f***ing deranged a**holes" as her grip on the event weakens.
The crowd continue to loudly oppose Parker's event, infuriating the anti-transgender activist further.
"Who's the premier here? Who's the premier? Who's in charge?" Parker asks her supporters around her.
"This is the worst place I've ever been," Parker yells down her microphone.
But despite the continuous chants from counter-protesters, Parker persists in venting her anger over the microphone.
"The police have been the worst here than anywhere I've ever vented. F***ing nuts. Absolutely horrendous."
Isla McGregor from Let Women Speak Tasmania told The Mercury that event organisers had contacted the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Felix Ellis to complain of "severe bullying, harassment, noise abuse. And being spat on".
"Many protesters begged members of Tasmania police to protect them. They refused."
Parker allowed in
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) had been reviewing Parker's case to enter Aotearoa since Monday. On Wednesday INZ announced Parker would be allowed to enter.
In a statement to Newshub, INZ general manager Richard Owen said after reviewing "all publicly known" information about Parker and after seeking advice from other agencies "there is no reason to believe that she is, or is likely to be, a threat or risk to the public order or public interest".
"As a result we have determined that Ms Keen-Minshull does not meet the high threshold to be considered an excluded person under Section 16 of the Immigration Act 2009."
The Act says no visa or entry permission may be granted if the minister believes someone is likely to be a threat or risk to security, public order or public interest, or is a designated terrorist.
Minister of Immigration Michael Wood said he would prefer she "never set foot in New Zealand".
"I find many of her views repugnant, and am concerned by the way in which she courts some of the most vile people and groups around including white supremacists," Wood said.
"The decision on whether to suspend her NZeTA sits with Immigration New Zealand and they have assessed that she meets the criteria set out in the Immigration Act and regulations. This assessment took into account the events in Melbourne that occurred last weekend. I have been advised that this case does not meet the threshold for Ministerial intervention."
Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March reacted by saying New Zealand has the "tools to factor in public safety, and have used it to prevent performers and other people coming in the past".
