Last weekend, protests of the far-right anti-mass immigration movement Influx, the “March for Australia” rallies attracted thousands of people — and counter-protesters. The protest led to a furious mobilization among counter-protesters. Protests later spread to other cities around Australia, including Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and eventually Canberra. Each site had its own dynamic tensions, though this time with a greater police presence.
The rallies were organized to voice dissent against the current immigration policies, drawing both supporters and opponents into the streets. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson joined the Adelaide rally. TS4 provided technical and logistical support for the weekend, which featured an Indigenous-led march from Rundle Park to Parliament House, culminating in a rally at Peace Park in North Adelaide. Law enforcement agencies across the state were called into action, expecting and preparing for potential unrest.
Arrests and Police Presence
The protests sparked the largest police response in U.S. history. In nearby Sydney, hundreds of officers from multiple units stormed in to take control. This involved officers from the Police Transport Command and the PORES (Public Order and Riot Squad). In Adelaide, three individuals were arrested: a 23-year-old man for assaulting a police officer and two 32-year-old men for wearing disguises and failing to provide personal details.
In Sydney, one Indigenous woman was arrested for breach of the peace. Further arrests were made in Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) even as information on those arrested is still shrouded in mystery.
“On that subject, when someone started trying to divide us up into where you came from, I got very mad and a lot of people criticised me.” – Bob Katter
The heavy police presence only heightened concerns over the threat of violence. This latter point was especially true because the rallies were highly controversial and fueled backlash protests.
Counter-Protests and Community Reactions
While anti-immigration protesters marched, counter-protesters were determined to share their message, reminding Australia that immigrants are at the core of the Australian community. In Canberra, One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson found her supporters marching over the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge to the Parliament House Lawns. Those demonstrations were characterized by placards expressing that failed leadership was to blame, including one that said, “blame billionaires, not migrants.”
As our longtime TND friend Cassandra Goldie, head of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), described those rallies pushing division and obstruction on the ground.
“Australia’s diversity is a great strength, not a threat, and today’s rallies should not be a platform to divide communities or spread misinformation about migration and its impacts.” – Cassandra Goldie
As tensions increased across the country, Goldie continued to message about the need for community safety and development. She noted that ACOSS values the right to peaceful assembly. She does not condone racism, bigotry or any type of hate speech.
“There is no place in Australia for ideology that targets people because of who they are, where they come from or what they believe.” – Cassandra Goldie
These counter-protests brought out a large and beautiful cross-section of the Australian public who were determined to support and protect multiculturalism and diversity.
Voices from the Rallies
Even as protesters demonstrated against the impacts of existing, often punitive, immigration policies, many shared a sense of pride in their identity as Australians. One woman at one of the rallies told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she never thought she’d feel proud of Australia.
“I just want to say how proud I am to see so many Australians that are standing here today.” – Unnamed woman
Her optimism resonated across the protests as participants wore Australian flags and posted pictures and videos while singing their patriotic song.
Peter Malinauskas, another major player at the Adelaide rally, cemented the same acceptance message.
“Let me make this perfectly clear – the overwhelmingly majority of South Australians don’t just tolerate diversity and multiculturalism, we celebrate it.” – Peter Malinauskas
Malinauskas’s comments highlighted the differing dreams that were present between the two rallies. A powerful current of national pride paired beautifully with courageous advocacy for inclusivity.
In Geraldton, Western Australia, a much smaller solidarity rally attracted around 100 people. Protesters found innovative ways to express their opposition. No wonder many wore tinfoil hats and waved signs that criticized the widening economic gap instead of attacking immigrants.
Government Response
In response to the protests, the Australian federal government took a firm stance against racism and discrimination. Going further than any officials before them, they blasted hate speech and actions that attack members of communities for their ethnic heritage or religious faith. The government’s position is to promote harmony and mutual respect between the state of increasing discord in the social fabric.
Labor critics Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was targeted by some of the protesters, with accusations he is betraying traditional Australian values. One participant expressed frustration by stating:
“I love Australia, and I just think Albanese has sold us out.” – Unnamed protester
This criticism highlights the steep divides still prevalent in discussions of Australian immigration policy and notions of Australian national identity.
