Thousands of pro-Palestine activists took to the streets of Brisbane on October 12, 2023, to commemorate the second anniversary of the attacks in Gaza. The rally began at **Queens Gardens** and progressed through the central business district, with participants expressing their desire for increased action towards peace and justice for Palestinians.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, with temperatures soaring, demonstrators remained resolute. “What we are calling for is, yes, we want the killing to stop and at the same time we want Palestinians to live with dignity and with full human rights,” stated **Remah Naji**, an organiser from **Justice for Palestine Magan-djin**. Naji emphasized the need for accountability for those involved in the ongoing violence, stating, “Every person who had any role in the genocide needs to be held accountable.”
The Brisbane march was part of a broader series of protests across Australia, reflecting a growing sentiment among activists. In Sydney, an estimated **8,000** people participated, while **3,500** marched in Melbourne, showcasing the nationwide call for solidarity with Palestine.
In response to the protests, political dynamics in Australia are also shifting. Recent polling from the **Resolve Political Monitor** indicates a significant decrease in public approval for **Sussan Ley**, the Leader of the Opposition. Following a month marked by instability within the Liberal Party, Ley’s performance rating fell sharply, with only **33 percent** of voters rating her as good or very good, down from last month. **Jane Hume**, a Liberal senator, acknowledged the challenges Ley faces while asserting that the Coalition must refocus on issues that matter to Australians.
“This has certainly been a couple of tough weeks for the Coalition. There’s no doubt about that, but Sussan Ley has the toughest job in politics right now,” Hume remarked in an interview. She urged the party to concentrate on its policy agenda for the upcoming election, emphasizing the importance of addressing constituents’ concerns.
In a separate development, **Communications Minister Anika Wells** is set to meet with representatives from major social media platforms, including **Meta**, **TikTok**, **YouTube**, and **Snapchat**, to discuss the impending implementation of a ban on accounts belonging to users under the age of **16**. This policy, which takes effect on **December 10**, aims to enhance child safety online, requiring platforms to take reasonable measures to enforce the age restriction.
While Wells aims for a smooth transition to this new regulation, initial trials have indicated potential difficulties in accurately verifying users’ ages without government identification. The consequences for companies failing to comply could be severe, with fines reaching up to **$59 million**.
As Brisbane’s residents deal with the aftermath of the protests, heavy rain overnight has led to a soggy start to the day. The forecast suggests a reduction in rain later, but thunderstorms are anticipated, potentially bringing damaging winds and hail. This shift in weather reflects a broader environmental concern as Australians continue to navigate both political and climate challenges.
The recent protests and political developments highlight the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability, with citizens taking to the streets in support of their beliefs while political leaders grapple with their public image and policy direction.
