Dozens of protesters have pitched themselves outside a Melbourne mansion where pop singer Katy Perry performed in front of a crowd of the country’s elite.
The pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside the Pratt family’s heritage-listed Raheen mansion in Kew on Saturday night, where they accused partygoers of “feasting while Gazans are starving”.
The private event, hosted by billionaire businessman Anthony Pratt, attracted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and her predecessor, Dan Andrews.
Perry reportedly arrived at the mansion from 5pm and performed a showcase of hits for the VIP corporate audience.
Photos outside the mansion showed a heavy police presence and dozens of protesters gathered outside.
The protesters banged a drum and chanted “free, free Palestine” as guests walked into the property.
Others called out, “Shame, Albo, shame”.
In a statement, the “Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance” group confirmed the protesters’ presence outside the event.
“Protesters remain outside the gates of the Pratt mansion in Kew. While the rich and famous are gorging, bombs are dropping in Gaza,” a statement read.
Victoria Police confirmed about 40 protesters were outside the mansion.
“Local police and Public Order Response Unit officers had a presence outside Raheen Mansion on Saturday evening after a number of protestors arrived at the location around 7.30pm,” a spokesperson said.
“There were no incidents of note and no arrests made.”
