At the launch at Crown on Saturday, Nicholson, who previously created cartoons labelling Liberal MP Andrew Hastie a traitor, told the crowd "heads are going to roll". "Dan Andrews, Jacinta Allan – they're going to be in prison by Christmas," he said, describing the event as "a revolution" and "a movement" to "take Victoria back".
The remarks were quickly criticised. Victorian Senator James Paterson, an ally of Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, said Victorians deserved justice for what had happened under Labor, but the best way was a royal commission, not threats to lock up opponents. "Performative promises to lock up your political opponents have no place in a liberal democracy," he said.
Meanwhile, New England MP Barnaby Joyce, who recently joined One Nation, distanced himself from the comment, telling the Seven Network that it was not Pauline Hanson who said it, and calling the Andrews and Allan administrations "disastrous for Victoria".
One Nation's social media pages have amplified the statement, posting "We're not pulling our punches in Victoria" alongside a screenshot of the "In prison by Christmas" headline. No one from the party has clarified whether the comments represent an official pledge to seek prosecutions against the former premiers.