Neo-nazis and politicians among protesters at anti-immigration March for Australia rallies

"While the protests were condemned as hateful by the federal government, some politicians attended, including the One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, and party member Senator Malcolm Roberts in Canberra and the federal MP Bob Katter in Townsville. The marches were promoted by neo-Nazis, as well as anti-lockdown figures who gained prominence during the pandemic, and other fringe groups but no group publicly claimed responsibility for organising the protests."

"Victoria police blocked off Flinders and Swanston streets to the north of the intersection, in an apparent attempt to keep two rallies apart, but they eventually met at the corner of Collins and Elizabeth streets with a barrier of police between them, three rows deep, including officers on horseback. A volatile verbal confrontation ensued, with a bottle thrown from the anti-immigration protest smashing at the feet of the antifascist demonstrators, and an open can of beer flying over the police line towards the anti-immigration march."

Neo‑Nazis and anti-lockdown figures featured among speakers and promoters of anti‑immigration March for Australia rallies held across state and territory capitals. Some federal and state politicians attended certain events, while the federal government condemned the demonstrations as hateful. In Melbourne, protesters gathered outside Flinders Street station with Australian flags and anti‑immigration placards. A counter‑protest combined the weekly pro‑Palestine rally and antifascist demonstrators. Police established barriers and cordons, including officers on horseback, as confrontations erupted with objects thrown and antifascist protesters pepper‑sprayed. The anti‑immigration rally proceeded to state parliament where speakers addressed the crowd.

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