National anti-immigration rallies will be met with counter-marches in Sydney and Melbourne as political leaders call for calm.
Multicultural communities will hold their own protests in response to planned rallies on Sunday organised by March for Australia, a group linked to white-nationalist claims that people of European ancestry are being “replaced” by populations from other ethnic groups through migration.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she was proud her state was a place where people from diverse backgrounds are choosing to live and raise their families.
“I say this to every single Victorian, that every Victorian matters. Every Victorian belongs, and every Victorian is equal,” she said.
Counter-marches are also planned for Sydney’s CBD where up to 1000 police will be deployed, with NSW Premier Chris Minns saying the anti-immigration protest was the last thing the city needed.
“I’m also cognisant of the fact that when I do comment about protests, it seems to drive attendance, not discourage people,” he said.
Greens anti-racism spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi said the far right had become emboldened by sections of the media and political class.
“These rallies must be called out for what they are, acts of racist fearmongering and hate,” she said.
Australia has experienced an alarming spate of anti-Semitic and anti-Islamophobic attacks due to conflict in the Middle East, prompting fears social cohesion is being eroded.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said there is no place for hate, and nothing could be less Australian.
“We stand with modern Australia against these rallies,” he said.
Australia’s diversity was an integral and valued part of its national identity, Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly said.
“This brand of far-right activism grounded in racism and ethnocentrism has no place in modern Australia,” she said.
Opposition multicultural affairs spokesman Paul Scarr said the material circulated for the planned rallies had caused great hurt.
“No part of the Australian community should be singled out. To do so is divisive and wrong,” he said.
Queensland MP Bob Katter on Thursday threatened to punch a journalist at a press conference where he had spruiked his attendance at the Brisbane rally.
Mr Katter unleashed on the Nine reporter after he was questioned about his Lebanese heritage.
“Oh mate, don’t say that because that irritates me, and I punch blokes in the mouth for saying that,” he said while pointing at the journalist.
The ACT Human Rights Commission urged people to report incidents if they witnessed others being vilified for their race, religion or colour.
The commission warned vilification remains illegal.
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