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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned weekend anti-immigration rallies across the country Monday, saying neo-Nazis were given a platform to spread hate and that an open neo-Nazi speaking from Victorian Parliament steps was "not the Australian way."
The rallies, held Sunday in multiple cities, drew criticism from government officials after extremist groups participated alongside protesters voicing concerns about immigration levels and housing shortages. The events culminated in an attack on Camp Sovereignty, an Indigenous protest site in Melbourne.
"What we have here is neo-Nazis being given a platform. That's what we saw on the weekend," Albanese told broadcaster Patricia Karvelas during a radio interview Monday. "The tone, of course, of much of the rallies was unfortunate, is the best way that you could put it, but hateful in some of the extreme examples."
The Prime Minister specifically criticized the appearance of a neo-Nazi speaker at the Victorian Parliament, calling it unacceptable behavior that contradicted Australian values.
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"The idea that an open neo-Nazi was able to give a speech from the steps of the Victorian Parliament is something that isn't the Australian way," Albanese said.
Liberal frontbencher Jacinta Nampijinpa Price drew government criticism after stating she wanted to congratulate the marchers, describing the vast majority as "people who loved this country." Albanese rejected that characterization during the interview.
"I did see her comments and they don't reflect what my view of these rallies were," the Prime Minister said. "We need to cherish who we are and social cohesion. And as public office holders, we have an important role to play in promoting unity, national unity."
The rallies attracted participants citing various grievances, including concerns about housing availability and rental queues. Albanese acknowledged legitimate economic concerns while criticizing the platform provided to extremist groups.
"I have no doubt that there would have been good people who went along, heard about a rally, are concerned, have views," Albanese said. "I've seen them talk about long housing queues for rentals. Of course. They're concerned about their access to housing. Of course."
However, the Prime Minister warned attendees to consider their associations at such events.
"But you should have a look at who you're with on Sunday, I think, and the motivation that they have, which isn't actually about housing or our economy or anything else. It's about sowing division," he said.
Rally participants attacked Camp Sovereignty in Melbourne, an Indigenous rights protest site that has operated for several months. The incident drew particular condemnation from government officials who noted the contradiction between anti-immigration sentiment and violence against First Nations people.
"Here you have people who are saying they're against migration, well, the first Australians were here before any migrant or descendant of migrants," Albanese said. "And that just has no place. That sort of violence has no place."
The Prime Minister characterized the rally attendance as representing a small fraction of Australia's nearly 27 million residents, suggesting the numbers did not reflect widespread anti-immigration sentiment.
"They weren't big numbers in the scheme of things in a nation of almost 27 million people, let's be clear here," Albanese said when asked about the scale of participation.
Albanese attributed the organization of such events to social media platforms, which he said made coordination easier while allowing misinformation to spread unchecked.
"What has occurred now is that it's much easier to organize through social media, through platforms, and easier as well for people to have their views reinforced, often of which are based upon things which aren't just fact," he said.
The Prime Minister cited declining net overseas migration figures to counter claims about excessive immigration levels, noting substantial decreases in 2024 following post-COVID increases.
"Like our net overseas migration is falling. It fell substantially in 2024. Of course, there were going to be an increased number after the lockdown of our entire continent that occurred during COVID," Albanese said.
Government officials emphasized Australia's multicultural identity while acknowledging historical patterns of anti-immigration sentiment. Albanese referenced his own experience with such movements during university years, suggesting extremist groups have long sought to exploit economic anxieties.
"There has always been elements. I ran for President of Sydney in the SRC against someone called James Saleem, a leader of national action, on anti-Asians being kept out of," he said, before adding, "It's always been with us."
The Prime Minister stressed Australia's diversity as a national strength, contrasting current multiculturalism with historical policies.
"Modern Australia is different, as I said in question time today, from the days of the White Australia policy. We're a modern nation that has benefited from our multiculturalism, that overwhelmingly people live in harmony of different ethnicities, different religions, different backgrounds, and we're enriched by the diversity in this country," Albanese said.
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation officials have not released detailed assessments of weekend events, though law enforcement agencies continue monitoring extremist group activities across the country.
The rallies occurred amid ongoing political debates about immigration levels, housing shortages and economic pressures affecting Australian households. Government data shows rental vacancy rates at historic lows in major cities, contributing to affordability concerns among residents.
Opposition immigration spokesperson Dan Tehan has not responded to requests for comment about Nampijinpa Price's statements supporting rally participants.
Labor immigration minister Tony Burke announced plans for additional consultations with community groups following weekend events, though specific policy changes remain under consideration.
The Prime Minister defended government immigration policies while emphasizing the importance of social cohesion amid economic challenges.
"We need to show respect for each other. And there will always be people who seek to say, look, your lot in life could be better and it's because of people who don't look like you," Albanese said.
Historical data shows similar anti-immigration demonstrations have occurred periodically across Australian cities over recent decades, often coinciding with economic downturns or housing affordability crises.
Social media analysis suggests rally coordination occurred across multiple platforms over several weeks, though specific organizers have not been publicly identified by authorities.
Community leaders from various ethnic and religious groups issued joint statements Monday supporting multiculturalism while calling for peaceful dialogue about immigration policies.
The Victorian Parliament confirmed its security protocols following the neo-Nazi speaker incident, though officials declined to specify potential changes to public access arrangements.
Camp Sovereignty organizers said they plan to rebuild the site despite weekend damage, with support from Indigenous rights groups and allied organizations across Melbourne.
Government officials indicated they would continue monitoring extremist group activities while maintaining current immigration processing procedures and community consultation programs.
The Prime Minister concluded his comments by emphasizing Australia's historical immigration success while acknowledging ongoing challenges.
"With the exception of First Nations people, where we are all either migrants or the descendants of migrants. This is an interview between someone called Karvelas and someone called Albanese, not Smith and Jones, or let alone First Nations names," he said.
Albanese referenced three foundational traditions shaping contemporary Australia: First Nations heritage, British colonial institutions, and successive waves of migration contributing to national development.
"We have then the arrival of the British colony and what they brought, the Westminster system, a whole lot of those British-based traditions. And then throughout our history as well, we've had waves of migrants coming, enriching our nation through their contribution to Australia," the Prime Minister said.
Parliamentary sessions are expected to address weekend events when parliament reconvenes, with opposition parties yet to clarify their positions on anti-immigration rally participation and extremist group involvement.
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