Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has blamed a “very small number” of counter-protesters for the violent scenes that erupted in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday, as two police officers were hospitalised. The clashes occurred when an anti-immigration rally, organised by March for Australia, was met by a counter-protest called “United Against Racism: Migrants and Refugees Are Welcome”.
Police Superintendent Wayne Cheesman said counter-protesters “desperately” tried to reach the anti-immigration rally, throwing large rocks, glass bottles and spoiled fruit at officers. Police used flash bangs, pepper spray and rubber bullets to keep the groups apart. A female officer suffered a serious hand injury and a male senior constable sustained a gash to his leg; both have been discharged from hospital but will be off work for weeks.
Premier Allan condemned the violence, stating the counter-protesters were “choosing to protest for the sake of protesting”. She insisted Melbourne was safe and that police have the necessary powers to maintain order. She rejected calls for a protest permit system similar to New South Wales, arguing that such arrangements have not stopped protest activity in Sydney.
The government plans to introduce laws to parliament by the end of the year to ban masks and other “extremist behaviour” at protests. A 30-year-old woman from Brunswick has been charged with resisting police and bailed to appear in court in May 2026. Police will review CCTV and body-worn camera footage to identify other offenders.
Superintendent Cheesman expressed frustration, holding up a large rock thrown at police and saying, “This could kill someone, that’s the bottom line.” He noted that bottles filled with glass shards were also thrown, and bins and flags were set on fire. The United Against Racism rally was endorsed by about 40 groups, including the Victorian Socialists, pro-Palestine groups, and Extinction Rebellion.
Rally organiser Anneke Demanuele, from the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, disputed that attendees were violent, accusing police of being responsible for the “vast majority” of violence. She said the rally aimed to show “collective strength” to “demoralise the far right”.
