Australia Faces Widespread Anti-Immigration Rallies Across Major Cities

Immigration remains a contentious issue in Australia, with recent anti-immigration rallies across multiple cities drawing attention to public concerns about the country's migration levels. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that while some participants had legitimate concerns, neo-Nazis also used the events to spread hateful rhetoric, underscoring the need for vigilance against far-right extremism. Albanese emphasized that immigration has generally benefited the nation and that only a small fraction of Australians oppose the current levels. Former immigration official Abul Rizvi criticized both major political parties for avoiding clear communication and management of immigration policy, which has created a vacuum now exploited by extremists. Meanwhile, independent senator David Pocock highlighted environmental and infrastructure pressures as motivations behind the protests, implying dissatisfaction with the government's immigration plan. However, critics argue that Albanese's plan primarily serves elite interests rather than the broader population.