Australia witnessed a wave of anti-immigration rallies on Sunday, with thousands taking to the streets in Sydney, Melbourne, and other cities, sparking government condemnation and counter-protests denouncing the far-right agenda.
Thousands of Australians rallied nationwide under the banner of “March for Australia,” demanding an end to mass immigration. Organisers claimed concerns over culture, wages, housing, infrastructure, hospitals, crime, and the environment were at the heart of the demonstrations. The group’s website accused mass migration of “tearing at the bonds that held communities together,” while posts on X argued politicians lacked the courage to address the issue.
In Sydney, an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 people gathered near the marathon course that drew 35,000 runners, finishing at the iconic Opera House. Many protesters draped themselves in Australian flags as they demanded a slowdown in immigration. Glenn Allchin, one participant, told Reuters that the rallies reflected public frustration with “kids struggling to get homes, long hospital waits, and roads at breaking point.”
The rallies drew sharp condemnation from senior government officials. Murray Watt, a minister in the Labor government, said on Sky News that the demonstrations were “organised and promoted” by neo-Nazi groups and aimed at “spreading hate and dividing communities.”
Counter-rallies organised by the Refugee Action Coalition also took place, with hundreds attending to denounce the far-right’s message. “Our event shows the depth of disgust and anger about the far-right agenda of March For Australia,” organisers said in a statement.
Police deployed hundreds of officers across Sydney, reporting the operation ended without major incidents. However, in Melbourne, riot officers reportedly used pepper spray on demonstrators, with Victoria Police yet to confirm details.
In Queensland, veteran populist lawmaker Bob Katter attended a rally in Townsville, reportedly “swarmed with hundreds of supporters.” His appearance followed controversy over remarks about his Lebanese heritage at a recent press conference.
The rallies come amid Australia’s heightened crackdown on extremism, including new laws banning Nazi salutes and the display of terror-linked symbols after a surge in antisemitic attacks linked to the war in Gaza. With immigration at the centre of political debate, the weekend protests underscored the nation’s deepening divide over multiculturalism and economic pressures.
