Australia is bracing for nationwide anti-immigration rallies planned by the group known as March for Australia, which has links to white-nationalist ideology. The rallies are scheduled for March 17, 2024, in every Australian capital city, raising concerns among non-white ethnic communities about potential violence and discrimination.
The federal government has strongly condemned these events, asserting that there is no place for “any type of hate in Australia.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that individuals seeking to divide and undermine Australian society are not welcome. “We stand with modern Australia against these rallies. Nothing could be less Australian,” he emphasized.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly echoed this sentiment, highlighting that Australia’s diversity is a vital aspect of its national identity. “We will not be intimidated,” Aly declared. “This brand of far-right activism grounded in racism and ethnocentrism has no place in modern Australia.”
The opposition’s multicultural affairs spokesman, Paul Scarr, criticized the materials circulated for the rallies, stating they have caused significant distress among communities. “Debates in relation to immigration policy need to be conducted with the utmost respect,” Scarr remarked. “No part of the Australian community should be singled out. To do so is divisive and wrong.”
Tensions escalated when Queensland MP Bob Katter threatened physical violence during a press conference regarding his attendance at the Brisbane rally. When questioned about his Lebanese heritage by a reporter from Nine News, Katter reacted aggressively, stating, “Oh mate, don’t say that because that irritates me, and I punch blokes in the mouth for saying that.”
Concerns for community safety have intensified, with the ACT Human Rights Commission urging individuals to report any incidents of racial or religious vilification. Commissioner Dr. Pene Mathew noted that many in multicultural communities are apprehensive about participating in daily activities during the rallies due to fears of backlash. “Events such as this proposed rally in Canberra are inconsistent with those values, and it is disappointing to see this occurring in the ACT,” she stated.
The backdrop to these rallies includes a troubling rise in anti-Semitic and anti-Islamophobic incidents across the nation, particularly in the wake of recent conflicts in the Middle East. These incidents have raised alarms about the erosion of social cohesion in Australia. As the date for the rallies approaches, community leaders and government officials alike continue to advocate for unity and respect in Australia’s multicultural society.
