In your news feed and on your television, you’ll soon see media reports about the racist “Australia First” protests as they take their toxic anti-migrant messages to capital city streets in nationwide marches. Expect angry-looking men in black chanting incendiary slogans about “rising up” and “reclaiming our identity”.
The “Australia First” event is our white supremacist echo of Donald Trump’s “America First” chant. For our local anti-heroes, the terrifying American backdrop of masked ICE agents swooping into workplaces from unmarked vehicles and kidnapping brown people is manna from heaven.
It couldn’t happen here, right? Possibly not, and certainly not with a progressive government in place. But this hard-right cohort is playing the long game.
Fear and loathing
Many Australians will just roll their eyes as Rupert Murdoch ratchets up his dangerous dog-whistling headlines to generate clickbait coverage of the Australian version of the rallies, as his Fox News has done in the US.
Away from the men in balaclavas and their media enablers, migrant communities are chilled to the bone. In a small regional town, young Indian national chef Gwijeet will stay home from the job she loves at a busy café. She’s afraid the agitators will splinter out into the regions as they’ve done before. She’s told her boss she cannot work the day of the march because she’s afraid she’ll be attacked on her way to work or that someone, emboldened by anti-immigrant chants, will try to hurt her young son in their home:
“I’m scared. I don’t want to [leave him] alone at the house because I am scared somebody can break in if they are hating us so much. I just want to be with my son. I don’t want anything to happen to myself and him.”
The second chef at this café, also a migrant, will also be absent, afraid for her safety on a day where the message is that migrants are not welcome.
Bad news
The concept of a hardworking chef too frightened to venture from her suburban home with her small son as neo-Nazis march through capital cities is unnerving. The protest flyers circulated online and via the Murdoch press claim the marches are designed to “take our country back”. But back from what? From whom?
News Corp keeps the confected outrage boiling along with headlines amplifying the call to arms. One barks out a slogan from the recruiting ad: “Take our country back: Police on alert as anti-immigration protests planned for August 31”. News.com.au then publishes the anti-immigration flyers in full, complete with racist slogans and details of a website. Free advertising most businesses could only dream of.
Denis Muller, senior research fellow in the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, says unnamed “organisers” are reportedly rejecting associations with the neo-Nazi Socialist Network or neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell. He offers this advice to News Corp:
“Do some decent journalism and find out [who is behind this] rather than acting as publicity agents for racists.”
A march of neo-Nazis in balaclavas through Melbourne in the dead of night early in August prompted Premier Jacinta Allan to label them “goons” and point to new anti-vilification laws:
“Our criminal anti-vilification laws come into effect next month. We will introduce powers for police to unmask cowards at protests after that.”
March madness
Gwijeet’s employer, Dan Richards, wants neo-Nazi marches made illegal. Migrants are drivers of economic growth and for him are what makes his business model successful. He’s advertised for years for Australian chefs at higher-than-award rates but no-one applies. Only migrant chefs step forward and keep his café staffed and pumping.
He’s previously fought to keep his other migrant chefs employed as their visas expired and for his trouble was subjected to a relentless hate campaign of negative reviews:
“I’ve got two chefs off on that day [of the march]. Both are immigrants … but I’d much prefer them to be home and safe and sound with their families. “
Farah Farouque, CEO of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, says:
“Whilst we can and do have civil policy debates about the optimal level of migration, taking action in a way that creates genuine fear is really concerning. We’ve already seen a cowardly display … when masked men chanting white supremacist slogans took to the streets of the Melbourne CBD in the dead of night. While this was a discredited fringe group who want headlines, that kind of ugly public demonstration can instil real fear in people from multicultural communities.”
Australia is still our sunburnt country with its beauty and its terror — but complacency lurks. The terror was never meant to be crowds of masked men in black who make a young migrant mother afraid to go outside for the crime of coming from another land.
Not only white supremacists and cowards, but without an original thought or slogan between them. Somewhat ironic that the “take our country back” crowd import their re-jackbooted rallying cries from other countries and cultures. Go back to your basements fellas. Better yet, move to Russia or Hungary.
Im old and I’ve got to the stage whereby if I saw a group of these evil monsters. I’d verbally hassle them to their faces. Im so sick to death of these loser men, probably incels, who are low IQ racists and misogynists.
I wonder whether dear Sussan would support these wicked people? Im sure many of our right wing pollies would!! They are society’s dregs – the lowest form of existence.
The Government quite rightly denied a visa to someone on the grounds of spreading hatred, fear and division. It is essential that the same standards are applied inside the country and this behaviour made totally illegal, subject to significant penalties, not just slap on the wrist fines or suspended sentences . This includes not just the marchers themselves but the inflammatory media coverage – it would not threaten “freedom of speech” to challenge Murdoch’s toxic rags. Or the media outlets who salivate over situations like the upcoming bad behaviour.
Anyone who feels the need to wear a full-face mask to make a public point in Australia is in the wrong country.
Yes we see it all the time in the Palestinian protests and I wonder what type of terrorist could be hiding under that mask or don’t they really know why they are there?
Labelling them low IQ, racist, misogynist incels is regressive.
People are a product of their environment, upringing, maturity amongst many other factors. Directing rage at them individually is misguided. It will just make them dig their heels in more. Rage begets more rage.
I still consider myself racist, even though it might only be 0.0012% of the strength of another human being/comrade.
Labels are fuelling this!
It’s not us vs them! Apart from the Investment Property Nepo baby, most of those attending the rallies will be on average or below incomes. Are these really our enemies? Or is it more of a…. look over here! Here’s something you can get outraged and divided over.
C’MON COMRADES!!! LOOK UP!! Not left or right!
It’s pretty stupid, and lacking in intelligence, to march for keeping Australia white when the indigenous peopleof thus country are not white, any more that the indigenous people of Palestine are white and, as the liked returning zionist Jews were never white.
So are they going to try turning Australia into a Jewish state or is it to be where they came from.
Facists are so pathetic.
Definitely correct. If we are not black, we are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, so those who are not first nations should not be marching. WAIT! Aren’t these the same people who hate first nations people?
As far as Israel is concerned, it has only been in existence since 1948, so has less right to the land than the Palestinians.
Jews have lived in Israel continuously for 3,500 years. Jews were the majority of the population of Jerusalem in the 19th century before the birth of the modern Zionist movement.
Yes, these racists seek to terrorise and humiliate all sorts of people, but hide behind their masks. So many of the anti-Israel (not pro-Palestinian) protesters also hide behind masks and terrorise and humiliate Jews. Both trends provoke hatred and fear.
Got a source for your claims?
None of this is an excuse for genocide and apartheid.
Australians need to be very, very worried about our country especially in the last 3 years and no end to division and Australian pitted against Australians but in particular what a disgrace to see the treatment of our innocent Jewish Australians who have exercised their strength by giving into the hatred sprayed at them. We will be next if this festering hate is not stopped.
Yeah, “I stole this country from its original inhabitants, so keep your sticky fingers off my loot!”
Yeah! We stole this land fair and square.
Since when was stealing ‘fair and square’. In fact, read your history – much of the stealing involved violence and murder against First Nations people. Hardly fair and square.
Chill Bob. I’m pretty sure those statements were ironic.
It was irony Robert.
At a minimum, those participating in street marches should not be permitted to wear masks.
Participants should be identifiable and welcome being so lest ‘hiding’ betrays their intent.
Hard to enforce.
Women in Hajibs? People with genuine fears of infection?
I doubt there is a one size fits all solution.
These white supremacists are afraid of their own shadows.
Just chant back “COWARDS” to them, as they pass with their masks on. Too gutless to be identified! Wimps!
Unmask them. If they have the courage of their beliefs, they should be out and proud anyway. Unless we want to go down the path of immigrants wearing masks so they can’t be identified and abused or attacked.
In my small regional NSW town, we have a Thai restaurant staffed by Thais; an Indian restaurant owned by a Nepali; the chefs at the main pub are Indian; we have three service stations that open early until all hours, all operated by Indians: and at our medical centre, the only non-migrants are the nurses. All these people are a pleasure to deal with, always polite and helpful. Nor do they display the arrogance that I see in too many “Australians” like the “Australia First” punks.
If we didn’t have immigrants, we’d only have one other clinic operated by one doctor whose books are full.
And it’s going to get a lot worse. You ain’t seen nothing yet!
All the more reason to stop it dead in its tracks, Greg.
Do you know something on the inside to sound so defeated?
My friend is a Sikh and was warned on social media to stay away from public places.
We need to fins the troll factory sending out this BS!
This is Australia, any half wit with a phone can cause havoc.
Time to step up.
I wonder where these nut jobs think they came from. I’ll bet none are indigenous. I have seen waves of migration in my lifetime and all have enriched our society in so many ways. Murdoch should be roundly condemned. Maybe it’s time we insisted that our newspapers should be owned by Australians!
Never before has the need been so imperative for media diversity to be reinstated to stop the power of one media house (guess who I’m referring to).
No media company should be allowed to own more than one masthead in any capital city while simultaneously running either/or broadcast media, online media or radio. Too bad if that dilutes their profitability.
Diversity of opinion invigorates more balanced conversations and argument among the populace and makes the insidious, low rent editorial standards emanating from these media Goliaths less relevant and intellectually unsustainable.
To shamelessly promote the activities of a group of gutless racists who think they own the country (always was and always will be not theirs) and yearn for a return to the white Australia policy during which I grew up is a disgrace. Doesn’t the anti discrimination act enable their prosecution. If not, it should.
To that employer cited in the article, Dan Richards, more strength to you brother. Moral fibre and care for your employees, you are a true exemplar for all.
Thanks for writing this Nicole. After watching 4 Corners this week I wasn’t aware that, thanks to Murdoch hacks, the racist goons are escalating their exposure. It’s sickening and similar to recent anti immigration protests in the UK. I’m 63 & don’t recall any time feeling such fear of these thugs hiding amongst us in plain sight.
The so-called journalists who support and amplify the hate speech of these despicable people are a gutless bunch of cowards promoting a gutless bunch of cowards. There is no justifiable reason for either promoting or even reporting these evil bastards
I wouldn’t be surprised this group is being supported by Russia. Their cyber and information war with the west has led to them supporting movements that undermine civil society. I would be looking for the money trail on this one.
Why did Dan Richard’s need to hire Australian chefs at higher than award rates. I hope he pays Gwijeet higher than award rates then
Yes he pays all his staff above award rates
Excellent
I thought the Nazi salute [raised right arm] was declared illegal. So why are the Police not arresting these nut jobs, then unmasking them so we all can identify them.
It’s time for those of us who truely believe in our multicultural society to stand against those who try to destroy it. Make sure that you let all who have come from afar that they are welcome and valued.
I’m far too old to accept these faceless blockheads and their gutless bullshit behavior. Frankly it scares the crap out of me, and it must be frightening for many migrants and others to observe or experience. Where does all the money and organizational support come from to finance such disgusting thoughts, parades and performances? How the hell are we going to get a handle on it all before the country ‘explodes’ (just like ridiculous America has done)? What is the real and long-term purpose of it all, and who the hell is encouraging and responsible for spreading it? I can see the media is playing a big part in spreading this ugly news, but I don’t see them attempting to explain the causes.
If the morons physically attack counter-protesters, the gutter press can channel Trump and declare that “there were good people on both sides”
We non-aboriginal Australians live on stolen land, my family for only 3 generations. So how do these clowns in balaclavas think the country has been taken from them? I’m damned sure that they don’t include any of the Yidinji local to Gimuy (Cairns) who’ve been here for 2,500 generations and definitely have a valid complaint that their country has been stolen and they’ve been marginalised.
My late husband was asked, back in JH’s ‘turn back the boats’ day’, “What do you think of the illegal boat people?” His answer “Well, we have been putting up you lot for the last 200 years, so what’s wrong with a few more”, silenced the questioner. Yes, my husband was proudly and thoughtfully Indigenous. I do not understand why some Australians cannot recognise reality.
Great response from your late husband. The chant of reclaim/take back ‘OUR’ land is just so ridiculous (and sad).
What is this identity which they are reclaiming? When did they lose in? 1945?
Isn’t it amazing that riot police were able to stand ready, in front of mounted police, to defend King Street Bridge dork peaceful protesters a couple of weeks ago , yet they stand idly by, ‘powerless to do anything ‘ while white Neo-Nazi masked thugs march through our suburbs?
Yes, have often been puzzled by how quickly police jump on environmental protestors but simply let these right-wing, fascist idiots occupy the streets without any consequence. Photos in the media of police standing around chatting with them on a Victorian beach shocked me. Yes, freedom of speech but NO to racism and violence – even thinly veiled violence of spoken threats.
These very silly men who are clearly lost and experiencing delusional grandeur, should be be met by community groups including police, singing rounds of “I’m a lumber jack and I don’t care….” and other such songs with equal absurdity. Perhaps even a choreographed dance. It will cause such discombobulation amongst their flock, they are likely to withdraw, go home and realise they are of no consequence – unimportant and irrelevant. A bit like the person turning up to a party naked when everyone else is dressed. Completely humiliated.
The cowards in the masks are often the same ones who railed against masks during the pandemic
Racism, particularly against First Nation indigenous Australians, but also against many immigrant groups, particularly regarding these false, manufactured housing and jobs crises, has always been a major factor in both public and political discourse in Australia, with the DNA of racism strongly embedded in both the potato head/dimwit Dave toxic totalitarian LNP Mobsters Opposition and, to a lesser extent in the canary coloured Labour jellyfish up until the late 1960s, with Australian politicians from both sides expressing blatant racism, from before federation, through to Arthur Calwell saying, “Two wongs don’t make a white”, the white supremacy of Pig Iron Bob, up to Matthew the Mobsters’ darling, along with little Johnny, potato head and the scummo scorpion campaigning on a blatantly racist and African phobic campaign in the 2018 Victorian election. We all know how far that got them. Also, it is worth mentioning that many of the State, territory, and AFP Pigs also have the attitude that the only good indigenous Australian, Muslim, and African youths are dead indigenous Australian, Muslim, and African youths.
First and foremost, we need to take out country back from the likes of Murdoch and his spawn who flagrantly use their resources to promote their hate and distention, never mind a Royal Commission we know what absolute carnage and damage that this person has done and still continues to promote.
All hate and anger are borne of fear of the other, a very naive fear without any knowledge of their cultures, which festers in the company of similar small minds and hidden in the shadows like these feckless creatures with their pity parties roaming around venting their displeasure.
The fact that this behaviour is kept in the dark is what allows this form of racism to flourish and needs to be brought out in the open, have their masks removed and identified which is the scariest thing for these thugs to face, hence too afraid to show who and what they are for their communities to recognise who they really are or just feckless people who lack any capacity for reasoned thought.
At the end of the day fractures such as this are borne in the community, by the community and of the community, so it seems that everyone has a lot of growing to do, and no one ever said it was going to be easy.
I’m going to borrow from other luminaries here – You are what you think. “We are what we think” Buddha. “A man is what he thinks about all day long”. Emmerson. The core principle also appears in the writings of Marcus Aurelius and James Allen, highlighting the profound connection between our thoughts and our reality.
Let them march. Let them chant their stupid slogans for all they are worth. Then, do what Aussies do best. Take the piss out of them, relentlessly and repeatedly. Mock them at every opportunity, and continue to demonstrate that they are NOT terrifying. They are simply impotent and pathetic.
Why not research the companies who advertise in Murdock’s rags and boycott them. It would not take long for Murdock to realise he is backing the wrong animals.
A few well lobbed rotten egg stink bombs among them wouldn’t go astray.