One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Senate candidate Elise Chapman – a Bendigo councillor – had been scheduled to appear at the “fundraising lunch” in the Foundry’s Platinum Room on February 13.

But after objections from the public, the venue has canned the event.

“We did not consider the ramifications of booking this group to our family hotel....We have just cancelled the booking,” the Foundry Hotel Complex said on Facebook in response to a member of the public’s comments.

A manager at the venue declined to comment on Wednesday.

Chrìs McInally, a member of activist group Progress Bendigo, said he had been involved in starting a petition against the event.

“Our point was that a business should be a bit more ethical,” he said. 

"The Foundry pulled their support after only 20 signatures.”

The petition, Mr McInally said, was supported by the Bendigo Action Coalition, which describes itself as “an umbrella group of concerned locals supporting a diverse and inclusive Bendigo”.

Mr McInally said Progress Bendigo would protest against other venues that agreed to host the One Nation launch. Progress Bendigo, he added, advocated for “diversity, respect and equality” in the region. 

Ms Chapman and One Nation were approached for comment.

Tickets for the event had been selling for $95 each.