The Flashpoint of Social Anxiety: Has Australia’s Anti-Immigration Wave Truly Begun? 

Many citizens who took to the streets to participate in protests did so not out of hostility toward immigrants, but driven by tangible, everyday anxieties: soaring rents, strained public healthcare, employment pressures, competition for educational resources… These pressing realities are palpable, yet they often struggle to receive immediate policy responses. 

Yet these complex economic and social tensions have been manipulated by extreme racists to target the growing non-European immigrant population in recent years. This flawed narrative not only obscures the true sources of anxiety but also artificially fuels ethnic divisions. By simplifying complex social issues into the claim that “immigrants are taking resources,” they divert public attention away from structural problems like housing, employment, and institutional reform. Such narrow-minded rhetoric not only undermines rational discourse but also runs counter to Australia’s long-standing commitment to multiculturalism. 

When normal public discourse descends into “hostility toward a particular group,” the resulting stigmatization and prejudice not only fail to address genuine issues but may also breach the boundaries of legal and social tolerance. Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 stipulates that any offensive conduct based on race, color, national or ethnic origin may be deemed unlawful [14]. 

During this protest, extremist groups sought to exploit the situation. Some neo-Nazis or far-right elements promoted their agenda through social media or appeared at the scene [15], attempting to radicalize the public’s existing anxieties. This not only risks fueling hate speech but could also trigger violent incidents. More alarmingly, their targets extend beyond immigrant communities. According to reports, that same evening, a group of men—including members of the National Socialist Network—attacked the Camp Sovereignty protest site in Melbourne. They tore down Indigenous flags and injured at least four people [16]. This incident exemplifies how extremists exploit public events to commit violence. 

These developments not only exacerbate social divisions but also serve as a stark reminder: if societal problems continue to be attributed to a single group, risks will escalate further: 

• Erosion of social trust: Minority groups face stigmatization, communities grow wary of one another, and social cohesion weakens. 

• Fertile ground for extremism: Hate speech provides a breeding ground for extremist organizations, heightening security risks. 
• Policy Misdirection: Urgent reforms needed in housing supply and labor market regulation may be overshadowed by emotional reactions, hindering policy progress.