Anger and Division as Australia Faces Anti-Immigration Protests
Over the past weekend, Australia found itself at the center of heated national debate after a wave of anti-immigration rallies broke out across several cities. These gatherings, attended in part by far-right groups and even neo-Nazis, have sparked strong condemnation from politicians, community leaders, and everyday Australians who are worried about the rise of extremism.
In parliament, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi did not hold back. She described One Nation as the “merchants of hate,” accusing certain politicians of scapegoating migrants and refugees to cover up policy failures. She argued that racism has been “normalised” in political debate and media commentary, creating space for extremists to thrive. For her, the rallies should be seen as a wake-up call—a reminder that Australia’s social fabric is vulnerable when hate is allowed to spread unchecked.
Labor leaders responded with equal firmness. Minister Jenny McAllister stressed that the government rejects racism in all forms and is committed to building a safer, more inclusive society. She described the anti-Indian sentiment displayed at some of the rallies as blatantly racist, reminding Australians that diversity has always been part of the country’s strength. Opposition leader Sussan Ley also weighed in, warning that extremism is steadily eroding Australia’s social cohesion. She argued that moments like this demand leadership and unity, not division.
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But not everyone in politics struck the same tone. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price acknowledged that neo-Nazis had infiltrated the rallies but said many attendees were ordinary Australians concerned about the nation’s infrastructure and migration levels. She stressed that questioning immigration policy “does not mean you are racist.” Still, her comments have been criticised for downplaying the dangerous influence of extremist groups who openly exploited the rallies.
Beyond the chamber, other leaders made their views clear. New South Wales premier Chris Minns said simply: “If you go to a rally and the Nazis turn up, it’s not one you should be at.” His point underlined a broader truth—that when hate groups attach themselves to a cause, the legitimacy of that cause is immediately called into question.
The Victorian Greens went further, describing the weekend events as “deeply disturbing” after far-right extremists stormed a First Nations protest site and violence broke out in parts of Melbourne and Sydney. They called for urgent investment in tackling extremism at its roots, particularly its growth online among young people.
What became clear through all of this is that Australia is grappling with deeper questions of identity, belonging, and cohesion. While legitimate concerns about housing, infrastructure, and population growth are part of the national conversation, they are being hijacked by groups spreading hate. The challenge now lies in drawing a line—between debate on policy, and the dangerous rhetoric that fuels racism and extremism.
This moment has forced leaders to choose: either allow division to take root, or commit to protecting the inclusive, multicultural Australia that so many people call home. And for many watching, the stakes could not be higher.
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