MELBOURNE, 31 August, 2025: Thousands attended controversial anti-immigration ‘March for Australia’ rallies across major cities and regional centres on 31 March 2025, drawing sharp condemnation from political leaders and community organisations. The rallies reportedly attracted significant support from far-right and neo-Nazi groups, while large counter-protests, including anti-fascist activists, were held in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney. In Melbourne, minor clashes occurred, prompting police to deploy pepper spray.
Protests were held in all state capital cities and several regional centers, including Sydney (Belmore Park), Melbourne (Flinders Street Station), Brisbane (Roma Street Parklands), Perth (Supreme Court Gardens), Adelaide (Rundle Park), Canberra (Captain Cook Memorial), Hobart (Salamanca Lawns), Darwin (Civic Centre), Cairns (“Freedom Park”) and in Townsville (Anzac Memorial Park).
Diverse Motives and Tensions
While the central theme was anti-immigration, some participants cited other grievances such as the high cost of living. Melbourne protestors carried various placards, including messages like “Wanted for Treason – Dan, Albo, Jacinta,” “Govt’s lie, folks die,” “No more disrespect for our Australian flag,” and “Stop mass immigration.” A neo-Nazi leader addressed marchers, who also confronted groups singing anti-hate songs.
At the intersection of Bourke and Swanston Streets, anti-fascist and pro-Palestinian groups stood nearby, rallying with a Palestinian flag and exchanging chants of “Shame on You” with marchers as tensions flared. Protesters bore various flags—predominantly Australian and Victorian, but also Israeli and Cricket Australia flags.
Contrasting Messages
The opposing groups made their stances clear with slogans such as “It’s time to take our country back. It’s time to defend our way of life. Stop mass immigration now,” countered by calls for unity: “There is no place in our country for individuals who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion.”
Political and Social Response
An ABC News investigation revealed that the protests’ organisers had links to neo-Nazi and white nationalist groups, including the National Socialist Network. The rallies were endorsed by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Senator Malcolm Roberts. MP Bob Katter, who also supported the protests, was embroiled in controversy surrounding remarks about his alleged Lebanese heritage.
Victoria Police estimated around 5,000 participants in the Melbourne rally; nationwide attendance figures were unclear, although some sources cited up to 15,000 marchers in Adelaide.
Impact on Communities
Community groups, notably within the Indian migrant population, expressed safety concerns. The ban on non-Australian flags and the prioritisation of the Eureka flag were perceived as exclusionary. Organisers urged immigrant communities—especially students and gig workers—to avoid protest areas. In Melbourne, few Indian or Asian migrants were seen near Flinders Street Station during the rally.
Despite the organisers’ secrecy, rallies received significant social media promotion and support from Neo Nazi elements. Opponents of the ‘March for Australia’ condemned it as bigoted and racist.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan addressing the Premier’s Multicultural Dinner on 30 August, 2025, said about Neo Nazis, ” …They stand for fear – we stand for fair. They stand for conflict – we stand for confidence,” she said. “They propose you live your life on their terms – we propose you live your life on yours.”
Senator Wong gave a statement in the Senate rejecting hate, violence and the attendance by Neo-Nazis and condemned the Coalition for seeking to leverage the issue for political gain, including legitimising One Nation’s extreme positions:
This report was last updated at 6.36 pm AEST.
