Anti-immigration rallies spark counter-protests and political backlash across Australia

Thousands of people took to the streets across Australia for a series of anti-immigration rallies and counter-protests, with violent clashes breaking out in several cities.

The "March for Australia" rallies, held in all capital cities and some regional centres, called for an end to what organisers described as "mass migration". Many participants wore or carried Australian flags, chanting nationalist slogans such as "love it or leave it". In Sydney, marchers carried banners declaring it was "time to put Australia first".

While some attendees insisted they supported immigration but wanted lower intake levels, others shouted racist chants including "send them back" and "stop the invasion".

The rallies drew strong condemnation from federal ministers, community leaders, and academics, who warned the events echoed the discriminatory White Australia policy and emboldened far-right groups.

Counter-protests and police response

Large counter-rallies were staged in several cities, with Melbourne seeing the most intense confrontations. Police estimated around 5,000 people were involved across competing demonstrations there, using pepper spray, batons and the riot squad to separate the groups. Six arrests were made for offences including assaulting police and resisting arrest.

In Brisbane, police formed barriers to keep protesters apart, while in Canberra, a scuffle broke out after an anti-fascism protester was put in a headlock. Smaller rallies were also reported in Adelaide and other centres, with additional arrests made.

Politicians and extremists take the stage

The events drew a mix of mainstream politicians and extremist figures. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson addressed the Canberra rally, repeating her long-held anti-immigration stance, while her party colleague Malcolm Roberts also spoke. In Townsville, Katter's Australia Party leader Bob Katter appeared alongside other MPs from his party.

In Melbourne, white nationalist Thomas Sewell, leader of the neo-Nazi Nationalist Socialist Network, spoke at one rally. Organisers later tried to distance themselves after he claimed the event as his own on social media.

Government and community condemnation

Federal ministers denounced the demonstrations. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described them as "nothing could be less Australian", while Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly warned they sought to intimidate migrant communities. Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi labelled the rallies "acts of racist fearmongering and hate".

Opposition deputy leader Sussan Ley urged calm before the rallies, condemning violence, racism and intimidation.

Community leaders and multicultural Australians said the protests stirred painful memories of exclusion and division. Experts also highlighted the role of misinformation and economic anxiety in fuelling anti-immigration sentiment.

"Far-right activists are very skilled at using coded language to attract ordinary Australians," University of Melbourne criminologist Liam Gillespie said. "It's about tapping into everyday nationalist discourse to make their agenda appear more mainstream."

Growing concerns over far-right influence

Demographer Liz Allen from the Australian National University dismissed claims that migrants drive down wages, take jobs, or push up housing costs as "nonsense", warning instead that a sense of being left behind was feeding public fear.

Experts said the weekend rallies demonstrated how far-right groups are trying to broaden their appeal, with federal politicians warning extremist networks could exploit such events to recruit new members.