Australia Rife with Anti-Immigration Sentiments: Extent and Implications

This past weekend, multiple cities in Australia saw the congregation of people under the banner of ‘March for Australia’. The gatherings saw a diverse set of participants, including confirmed neo-Nazis and sitting politicians, banded together to protest against large-scale immigration. The wave of anti-immigration sentiment, however, is not confined within Australia’s bounds. Recently, a similar sentiment spurred anti-immigrant protests in cities in the United Kingdom such as London, Bristol, and Birmingham.

While some suggested that the Australian ‘March for Australia’ demonstrations were co-opted by the neo-Nazi group known as the National Socialist Network (NSN), the underlying themes displayed were deeply entrenched in far-right ideologies linked to white nationalism. These were notably associated with concepts such as ‘remigration’ and the Great Replacement theory.

Through an in-depth examination by ABC before the marches, it was uncovered that ‘remigration’ was discussed on the protest organizers’ website as a primary driver for the event, although it was subsequently taken down. The term ‘remigration’ is rooted in the ideas of the far-right, referring to the idea of enforcing the return of non-white immigrants to their purported countries of origin.

The Australian protests were more extensive in their outreach than a merely localized event, receiving backing from prominent figures within international far-right circles. This seemingly elevated the protests from solitary incidents to significant elements in a holistic global surge against immigration. Identitarianism, a term referring to a branch of the far-right originating from Europe, considers remigration as one of its ideological pillars. The movement’s focus lies in safeguarding white European identities, which it perceives as being eroded due to immigration, globalization, and a progressive multicultural society.

This display of online support for ‘March for Australia’, emphasizes the strengthening bond between international far-right movements. These organizations increasingly view their unity as a tool to defend the so-called ‘Western Civilization’. Their established doctrines include opposition to large-scale immigration, a stronghold on preserving white identity, and faith in conspiratorial perspectives including the Great Replacement theory.

The facilitation and growth of these transnational connections would not have been possible without the rise and wide availability of social media channels in modern years. A recent case study in Australia hints towards this trend where popular social media platforms have played a vital role in fostering anti-Islamic far-right organizations like the United Patriots Front.

The far-right has taken advantage of online platforms to proliferate their ideologies. By using tools like memes that rely on virality and humor, they can effectively disseminate their beliefs. The online environment provides a conduit for these extremist viewpoints to seep into and impact mainstream political conversations.

Major social media platforms are becoming increasingly welcoming towards far-right movements, which is a reason for concern. In the context of Australia, the endorsement from influential individuals presents an opportunity for far-right factions to expand their ability to mobilize. Furthermore, it could stimulate the reciprocal sharing of resources, information, and tactical support on an international level.

As far-right ideologies continue to gain ground, becoming more accepted and mainstream, we might bear witness to the rise in public demonstrations that may escalate to violent incidents in cities across Australia. Despite these worrying trends, it is crucial to continue analyzing and understanding the far-right movements to develop effective methods to tackle their potentially harmful impact on society.

Through this scrutiny, society can better identify the mechanisms of mobilization used by these groups. Understanding their methods of communication and strategies can provide insight into how to most effectively counteract their potentially harmful effects on social cohesion and harmony.

The growing influence and reach of far-right movements also underscore a deeper issue at heart: societal discontent. Whether it is legitimate economic hardship or perceived cultural shift, these issues are often harnessed by far-right groups to further their cause, thereby attracting support.

It’s essential that democratic societies reckon with and address the possible roots of this discontent. Through this, we could hope to stem the growth of far-right extremism, thereby preventing the disruption of societal harmony.

While far-right movements are undeniably increasing their reach and influence, it is equally undeniable that they are eliciting strong opposition and resistance from various members of society. The continuation of democratic dialogue, reasonable discourse, and mutual understanding remains essential in combating the progression of far-right ideologies.