The federal government decried the marches as efforts to sow division. Home Affairs Minister Murray Watt asserted that the rallies “are not about increasing social harmony” and accused their organisers of being “organised and promoted” by neo‑Nazis. The events were condemned as hateful and undermining the nation’s cohesion.
Promotional materials for the rallies stirred further outrage by explicitly targeting Indian‑born residents, who now comprise over 3 per cent of Australia’s population. One flyer declared: “More Indians in five years than Greeks and Italians in 100… replacement plain and simple.” The rhetoric blamed mass migration for straining infrastructure and eroding social unity.
The rallies sparked confrontation on multiple fronts. In Sydney, between 5,000 and 8,000 people gathered near the course of the Sydney Marathon, prompting a simultaneous counter‑demonstration by the Refugee Action Coalition. Hundreds joined the counter‑protest to voice opposition to what organisers dubbed a far‑right agenda. Despite the tense environment, police reported no major incidents.
Melbourne witnessed more volatile scenes as anti‑immigration protesters clashed with pro‑Palestine and left‑wing groups. Riot officers resorted to pepper spray, and a neo‑Nazi figure, Thomas Sewell, addressed the crowd outside Flinders Street Station. He claimed “his men” had led the march and warned: “If we do not stop immigration, then our death is certain.”
Brisbane’s rally began at Roma Street Parklands and proceeded toward Parliament House. The event featured nationalist chants such as “send them home” and a speech by white supremacist Jacob Hersant, who described Native Title as “evil.” Former MP Bob Katter also appeared at a demonstration in Townsville, lending political weight to the nationalist tone.
The provocative messaging and extremist presence did not go unnoticed. Organisers reportedly shared content linked to white nationalist ideas, including pro‑Nazi memes and the use of the term “remigration” on associated websites and social platforms. While the group denied formal links to prominent neo‑Nazis or far‑right organisations, many analysts suspected ideological alignment with such elements.
Political leaders swiftly condemned the rallies. Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, said those “walking with Nazis” undermined the promise of multiculturalism. Opposition figures across parties echoed the criticism, warning of the dangers of extremist influence.
Police presence across major cities was substantial. Sydney deployed hundreds of officers; Melbourne established controlled zones in the CBD; Brisbane saw planned rolling road closures; Adelaide’s rally was halted due to neo‑Nazi disruptions. Authorities emphasised their duty to ensure peaceful assembly while preventing hate speech and violence.
The scale of the protests surpassed prior expectations. Preliminary estimates indicated total attendance across the country exceeded 45,000, with arrests spanning multiple states.
Amid the turmoil, community leaders urged calm and reaffirmed the strength of Australia’s diversity. While some protesters voiced legitimate grievances about housing, infrastructure, and cost of living, many critics warned that such concerns were co-opted by extremist agendas that thrive on division.