Thousands of Australians have turned out for anti-immigration rallies across the country that were condemned by the government as having far-right links and spreading hate.
The March for Australia rallies occurred in Sydney, Melbourne, and other major cities, with several clashes as marchers encountered counter demonstrations.
Notable opposition politicians joined the marches, including One Nation senator Pauline Hanson and federal MP Bob Katter. Australia has recently seen a rise in right-wing extremism and made the Nazi salute punishable by a mandatory prison term earlier this year.
Up to 8,000 people attended the Sydney rally, according to ABC Australia, while police reported no significant incidents despite the high turnout. In Melbourne, clashes occurred with attendees of a pro-Palestine rally, while a known neo-Nazi speaker drew attention at the Parliament House.
In Adelaide, crowds reached 15,000 during both a rally and a counter-demonstration, with police describing behavior as generally well-behaved. A demonstrator was spotted with a placard supporting conspiracy theorist Dezi Freeman, currently wanted for allegedly shooting two police officers.
The March for Australia website claims that mass migration has eroded national unity and expresses concerns about a range of issues including culture, housing, and crime.
Government officials have vocally opposed the rallies, emphasizing their commitment to social cohesion and stating that there's no room for hate in Australia. Home affairs minister Tony Burke highlighted that such divisive ideologies are not representative of modern Australia, while Dr. Anne Aly, minister for multicultural affairs, reaffirmed support for all Australians regardless of their origins.
