Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has described opponents of a proposed Bendigo mosque as illiterate outsiders stirring up hate and bigotry.
Hundreds of police are bracing for clashes between anti-racism demonstrators and anti-mosque protesters travelling from interstate to the regional city for a rally staged by the far-right United Patriots Front.
A protest in Bendigo in August ended in violent clashes between far-right and leftist protesters and premier Daniel Andrews and prime minister Malcolm Turnbull have both warned against attending rallies at the weekend.
"You've got people who wouldn't know how to spell Bendigo coming to Bendigo, trashing Bendigo's good name," Mr Andrews said.
"They're outsiders in every sense of that word."
Protesters will be met in Bendigo by more than 400 police officers, which will stretch the region's emergency services even thinner as firefighters battle the out-of-control Lancefield bushfire south of Bendigo.
"There are people on the far left and the far right who will come tomorrow - I have no doubt - with no intention but to commit violent acts against each other," Victoria Police assistant commissioner Stephen Leane said on Friday.
Mr Leane has asked moderates to reconsider whether they want to be involved with the 300 to 400 "hardcore" protesters expected to turn up on Saturday.
Mr Turnbull believes people heading to race rallies are working against the national interest and making the job of police harder.
If people are vilifying another group, "how can that possibly be anything other than contrary to our national interest," Mr Turnbull said in Sydney.
Multicultural organisations in Victoria have condemned the anti-mosque rally.
"Australian society is built on pluralism and we have come too far to allow a handful of bigots to destabilise Victoria's social harmony," Islamic Council of Victoria secretary Kuranda Seyit said.
Saturday's rally in Bendigo has prompted organisers of a wine festival to cancel their event because of safety concerns.
Bendigo mayor Peter Cox said Muslims are a valued part of the community despite the misinformed objections of some residents.
"What I really believe is the right for anybody to practise their religion and have a place of worship," Mr Cox told ABC 24.
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