Canberra: The Australian government has disapproved of the campaigns taking place across various cities against increasing migration of Indians, saying this “brand of far-right activism grounded in racism and ethnocentrism” has no place in the country.
March for Australia rallies against immigration were held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, among others, according to the group’s website.
The Anthony Albanese government stands against the events planned for the weekend, the Australian government said in a release on Thursday.
“All Australians, no matter their heritage, have the right to feel safe and welcome in our community,” the statement said.
Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs, was quoted as saying, “There is no place in our country for people who seek to
divide and undermine our social cohesion. Nothing could be less Australian.”
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly said, “Multiculturalism is an integral and valued part of our national identity.”
“We stand with all Australians, no matter where they were born, against those who seek to divide us and who seek to intimidate migrant communities. We will not be intimidated. This brand of far-right activism grounded in racism and ethnocentrism has no place in modern Australia,” she added.
The March for Australia group’s website says, “Our streets have seen growing displays of
anti-Australian hatred, foreign conflicts, and disintegrating trust, whilst mass migration has torn at the bonds that held our
communities together.”
“This march is a stand for the people, culture, and nation that built Australia - and for our right to decide its future,” it added.
The group in a social media post on Saturday said that the rallies aimed to
do “what the mainstream politicians never have the courage to do: demand an end to mass immigration”.
The group’s manifesto and flyers claimed “More Indians in 5 years, than Greeks and Italians in 100”, adding, “This isn’t a slight cultural change, it’s a replacement
plain and simple.”