March For Australia: Should You Step Out On August 31
- Staff Writer
- Aug 31
- 3 min read
As Australia prepares for the controversial “March for Australia” anti-immigration protests on August 31, many have been asking how safe it is to step out on that day!
The March for Australia isn’t your typical protest. Organisers demand an end to “mass migration” and paint a fear-filled picture of a country changed beyond recognition. They call for a “sea of red and blue” — Australian and Eureka flags only.
On paper, it sounds simple. But when you dig deeper, nasty links surface. Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, conspiracy theorists and far-right agitators have piggybacked on the event.
What Is the March for Australia?
The March for Australia is planned in all major cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, and others. Organisers demand an end to “mass migration” and insist on “no foreign flags” being displayed at the rallies.
Their website claims, “Our streets have seen growing displays of anti-Australian hatred... mass migration has torn at the bonds that held our communities together.”
Police Prepare for Trouble
Victoria Police aren’t taking any chances. Superintendent Troy Papworth told ABC Radio that an expansive “designated area” in Melbourne’s CBD spans down to the Shrine of Remembrance. Within this zone, officers have the power to stop and search anyone or any vehicle — no warrant needed.
Papworth explained this was a bold response to anticipated violence and mayhem from some far-right attendees, warning that the week had already seen the loss of two officers. There’s a simultaneous pro-Palestinian rally nearby — a powder keg invite to clashes.
NSW Police are bracing Sydney with heavy deployments, juggling the protest alongside the Sydney Marathon. Queensland and WA police expect major crowd control duties, warning of road closures and counter-protests.
The message is clear: step into these protests knowing police will be watching closely, and tensions are high.
Federal Government Takes a Firm Stance
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has been unequivocal in his condemnation of the protests, stating bluntly, “There is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion.”
He emphasised that the government stands firmly “with modern Australia” and that the March for Australia represents “nothing could be less Australian.”
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly added, “We stand with all Australians, no matter where they were born, against those who seek to divide us and intimidate migrant communities. This brand of far-right activism, grounded in racism and ethnocentrism, has no place in modern Australia.”
State Politicians and Community Leaders Echo Alarm
Peter Doukas OAM, chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), condemned the protests as singling out new arrivals and culturally diverse communities in a way that “ignores our shared history.”
“Our diversity is a strength, and it must be protected,” he said. Doukas urged all leaders and communities to “reject any messages that promote racism or exclusion.”
Multicultural youth groups such as the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) issued strong statements rejecting the rallies and their divisive, racist messaging.
CMY’s spokesperson stressed that the protests “tear at the very fabric of our multicultural society” and called for community members to prioritise safety and solidarity. The group highlighted that more than half of Victoria’s young people are migrants or children of migrants, underscoring the deep multicultural roots of society.
The Safety Question: Should You Step Out?
For residents, especially immigrants and people of color, the question that has been topmost in their minds is how safe it is to go out into the city or CBD on August 31.
Here are a few things to consider:
The March for Australia rallies have been widely condemned for promoting racist and exclusionary narratives with clear far-right and neo-Nazi associations.
The protest locations are Flinders Street in Melbourne, Belmore Park in Sydney, Roma St Parklands in Brisbane, Supreme Court Gardens in Perth, Rundle Park in Adelaide and Salamanca Lawns in Hobart.
Police have said there will be an increased presence to ensure safety.
While there is no reason to cancel your plans, be aware of your surroundings and prioritise your safety if you are stepping out in the CBD or are near the protest locations.
Keep emergency numbers handy.
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