Overview

• Rallies branded March for Australia are scheduled in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with organisers calling for an end to so-called mass migration.
• Figures linked to neo-Nazi and far-right networks, including Thomas Sewell and the National Socialist Network, have promoted the events, which organisers deny formally involving them.
• NSW Police plan to deploy up to 1000 officers, Victoria Police will declare the Melbourne CBD a designated area enabling searches and face-covering removals, and Queensland authorities expect a heavy presence.
• Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged calm and rejected violence, racism and intimidation, while Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly condemned efforts to divide communities.
• Community leaders reported fear within multicultural groups, counterprotests are planned in some cities, and police warned they will act quickly to prevent clashes.