Melbourne’s mayor has urged people to "stay home" ahead of planned rallies across Australia on Saturday, warning that multiple protests in the central business district could cause significant disruption and risk violence.
Organisers under the Australia Unites banner say the demonstrations will highlight widespread public concern about cost-of-living pressures, health and social outcomes, rising violence, financial strain and environmental policies they say favour corporations. Counter-demonstrations led by Indigenous and Palestinian activists have been organised as a National Day of Action against racism and fascism following an alleged attack on an Indigenous camp in Melbourne on Aug. 31.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece told Weekend Today he was "fed up" with the number of protests citywide and around Australia and that the harm caused to residents and businesses outweighed the aims of many demonstrations. "I think everyone respects the right of people to protest peacefully, but that's not what we're seeing anymore," he said. He urged people to avoid the city centre on Saturday, saying multiple simultaneous rallies had become "extremely disruptive and intimidating."
Victoria Police warned that elements from both far-right and far-left groups could use Saturday's events to seek confrontation, and said officers deployed in Melbourne would be authorised to conduct searches for weapons and to direct people to remove face coverings. Commuters were told to expect extended delays in the CBD as a result of the policing response and the protests themselves.
The heightened caution comes less than two weeks after a group of men dressed in black allegedly clashed with Camp Sovereignty occupants in King's Domain following the March for Australia rally on Aug. 31. Camp Sovereignty, a burial site containing the remains of Indigenous people from 38 clans, was initially established in 2006 and was re‑established in 2024. Ten men have been arrested and charged in relation to the alleged assaults and affray, and police have said some of those arrested had links to neo‑Nazi groups.
Brawls between anti‑immigration demonstrators and anti‑fascist groups have broken out at recent rallies, with police deploying pepper spray to separate opposing groups. Victoria's Attorney‑General Sonya Kilkenny reiterated support for peaceful protest while condemning those who intend to use demonstrations as a cover for criminal behaviour. "Do not ever use the cloak of protest to go out there and cause crime," she said. "There is no place for protests that spread harm, that spread hate, that spread fear and violence, and there is certainly no place in Victoria for neo‑Nazis."
Rallies are also planned in Sydney, Hobart, Canberra and Brisbane, though state police forces outside Victoria had not issued similar warnings of clashes. Victoria Police said it could not discount the possibility that extremist individuals or organised neo‑Nazi sympathisers would reappear on the streets while some alleged leaders remain in custody.
Local authorities and business groups have expressed frustration at the frequency and cost of protests this year, saying repeated policing operations have cost taxpayers millions and disrupted commerce and public life. Organisers of Australia Unites have framed the rallies as an expression of broad dissatisfaction with economic, health and environmental policy; Indigenous and allied campaigners have characterised their counter‑demonstrations as a defence of vulnerable communities and a rejection of racism and fascism.
Police have advised the public to check travel and transport updates and to avoid areas where rallies and counter‑protests are scheduled. As events unfold, authorities in Melbourne said they would prioritise public safety while upholding the right to lawful, peaceful protest.