A man has been arrested and is expected to be charged with hate speech after allegedly making antisemitic comments at the March for Australia protest in Sydney's Moore Park. Despite the arrest, police said most protesters were peaceful, with Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden noting that the 'vast majority' of crowds gathered without incident.
In Sydney, about 10,000 people marched in the Invasion Day rally, which began with a minute's silence for the victims of the Lake Cargelligo shooting. Meanwhile, in Melbourne, riot police intervened after anti-immigration protesters clashed with Invasion Day marchers.
Perth's Invasion Day protest descended into chaos when police cleared the area after a 'threat' was made in Forrest Place. One person was taken into custody. Attendee Jade Cameron described 'chaos' as police moved everyone out of the square, preventing the usual ceremony. Noongar photographer Cole Baxter estimated about 1,000 people were present, calling it a 'tense environment'.
Other arrests included a 17-year-old boy in Bondi for allegedly assaulting police, and a 28-year-old man at Victoria Park assisting police with unrelated inquiries. Additionally, one individual was served with a public safety order and removed from the March for Australia event.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officiated at a citizenship ceremony in Canberra, advocating for 'unity, not division'. Opposition deputy leader Ted O'Brien dismissed talk of a leadership spill as a 'media frenzy', while leader Sussan Ley echoed that sentiment.
