Left-wing protesters are set to rally outside the National Press Club in Barton on Wednesday as One Nation leader Pauline Hanson delivers her inaugural leader's address.
Canberra Socialists executive council member Carter Chryse, who is organising the protest, said it was "disappointing" that Senator Hanson - who this month overtook Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister in a Resolve poll - had been booked to speak.
"What we're seeing in Australia is a bit of the pattern [like] what's happened internationally ... Where racism, bigotry, scapegoating can take the place of just the ordinary right," Mr Chryse told The Canberra Times.
He said the protest group wanted to emulate the "heroic" anti-Trump movement in the United States and "disrupt" the right-wing populist party's ascendance.
But he acknowledged the public interest in the One Nation leader, saying: "The fact is, she is the most popular politician in Australia right now."
"Hanson's on a bit of a roll at the moment, has allegedly raised millions of dollars," he said. "That can't stand without at least some level of fight back."
Senator Hanson, who says her party offers an alternative to Australia's political establishment, has promised to run a candidate in every electorate at the next federal election.
One Nation launched a Canberra branch in November, but it is yet to hold a meeting.
It is understood that discussions began between the National Press Club's board and One Nation about a leader's address by Senator Hanson about six months ago, and firmed up after the May federal budget.
Senator Hanson last spoke at the venue several decades ago, but that was not an official National Press Club event.
ACT Policing said in a statement that it was "aware of possible protest activity in Barton" on Wednesday.
"While police respect the right of people to protest peacefully, illegal or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated," the statement said.
National Press Club chief executive Maurice Reilly said he had no objection to the rally, as long as it was conducted peacefully outside the venue.
"The public have a right to protest," he said.
Mr Chryse said the rally would be peaceful and that the protesters were "not trying to rush the place."
Hundreds of protesters rallied against One Nation during Senator Hanson's visits to Melbourne and Perth last week.
One Nation changed the venue of its Melbourne event to avoid the crowd of protesters who had gathered outside a restaurant in Moonee Ponds.
Senator Hanson's National Press Club address is fully booked will be a high security event.
The One Nation leader, who banned the ABC from press conferences in Albury during the Farrer by-election, will be questioned by members of the Canberra press gallery after her speech - including a likely question from the national broadcaster, which will air her address on live television.
Questions are not provided in advance.
Mr Chryse said One Nation appealed to voters who were frustrated with Australia's economic circumstances but argued the party was not "appealing primarily to the poorest people in society."
"I mean, her fundraisers are $2000 ticket entries," he said.
"We disagree with the argument that ... it's the fault of migrants, or it's the fault of women getting abortions [or] trans people."
