Sydney, Australia – August 31, 2025 – As Australia braces for a day of potentially divisive protests, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged participants to exercise calm and respect, emphasizing that the nation has “no place for violence, racism, or intimidation.” In a video message posted to social media on Saturday, Ley addressed the upcoming rallies in Sydney and other major cities, including the controversial anti-immigration “March for Australia” event, warning that hatred and fear must not undermine the country’s social cohesion.
The rallies, scheduled for Sunday, August 31, coincide with a confluence of demonstrations: the far-right March for Australia protesting “mass migration,” counter-protests by pro-immigration and anti-racism groups, a pro-Palestine assembly by the Palestine Action Group, and a separate event by the Refugee Action Coalition. Organizers of the March for Australia, which has drawn fewer than 700 registrations on Facebook for the Sydney event at Belmore Park, claim the gatherings aim to address concerns over housing shortages, wages, and cultural impacts of immigration. However, the events have been mired in controversy, with links to neo-Nazi figures like Thomas Sewell, who referred to the Sydney rally as “our” event on Telegram, and the National Socialist Network, which claimed involvement before organizers distanced themselves.
Ley, leader of the Liberal Party, struck a tone of unity in her statement, acknowledging the right to protest while stressing the need for peaceful conduct. “In Australia, we protect the right to an opinion and the right to protest. But that must be done peacefully and respectfully,” she said. “Strong borders keep us safe, but they also allow us to be generous and compassionate to those fleeing conflict. That is the Australian story. Respect, tolerance, community. It belongs to all of us.” Her comments come amid criticism from March for Australia organizers, who accused Liberal Party branches of abandoning traditional values by not endorsing the protests.
The federal government has also weighed in strongly against the anti-immigration marches. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described them as “nothing could be less Australian,” stating, “There is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion.” Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly echoed this, affirming that “multiculturalism was an integral and valued part of our identity” and standing in solidarity with migrant communities. Progressive groups and influencers have organized counter-demonstrations, including in Melbourne, where a pro-Palestine, anti-fascist rally is planned, raising fears of clashes.
NSW Police are preparing for heightened tensions, with Assistant Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna announcing the deployment of up to 1,000 officers in Sydney. Major roads in the CBD will be closed, and non-essential travel is discouraged due to the overlapping events, including a marathon. McKenna warned that anyone attempting to “hijack these assemblies and do the wrong thing” would face arrest and charges, with powers to search for weapons and require the removal of face coverings in designated areas. Similar measures are in place in Melbourne’s CBD, where Victoria Police anticipates a “significant operational response.”
The rallies have sparked widespread concern among migrant communities, particularly Indian and Nepali Australians, who fear being targeted by anti-immigration rhetoric. The Non-Resident Nepali Association condemned the events as a threat to multicultural values, while the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) called for unity and rejected scapegoating migrants for economic issues. Experts like terrorism researcher Michael Zekulin from the Australian National University warned that social media’s role in amplifying extremist views could lead to copycat behavior and broader social upheaval if groups clash.
This comes on the heels of massive pro-Palestine protests earlier in August, where up to 300,000 people marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge, drawing criticism from Ley for causing “chaos” in the city. Greens Immigration spokesperson David Shoebridge attributed the rise in anti-migrant sentiment to inflammatory rhetoric in parliament and media, stating, “We are in solidarity with every community that is targeted and concerned by these hateful rallies.”
As the nation watches closely, Ley’s plea for respect underscores a broader call from leaders across the political spectrum to preserve Australia’s multicultural fabric amid rising polarization. With events unfolding in cities like Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide as well, Sunday’s rallies could test the limits of free speech and public safety in a deeply divided landscape.