Over the first weekend of September 2025 the nation faced existential challenges to its multicultural character, marked by protests driven by neo-Nazi groups.

These protests cannot be viewed in isolation; they are part of a broader constellation of events that includes neo-Nazis storming SA Premier Peter Malinauskas’s office, neo-Nazi flyers in Caulfield, VIC targeting Jews, white supremacist rally in Corowa, NSW, where demonstrators displayed a banner reading “White man, fight back”, the booing of a Welcome to Country ceremony during Melbourne’s ANZAC dawn service, and the ambush on Victoria’s Premier press conference by a known neo-Nazi activist.

Unfortunately, the divisive and racist message of neo-Nazis didn’t stay only within the forums of these fringe groups.

Some politicians didn’t hesitate to transcend the message of these streets thugs into our public sphere.  

Coalition Senator Jacinta Price’s anti-Indian remarks and the refusal to apologise for them are just one example of this.

Unsurprisingly, Pauline Hanson joined an anti-immigration ‘March for Australia’ rally in Canberra.

Meanwhile, Queensland MP Bob Katter—himself of Lebanese migrant heritage—threatened to punch a Channel Nine journalist during a press conference at the State Parliament, Queensland, where he and State MPs from his party were announcing their support for an upcoming anti-immigration rally and their intention to attend it. The journalist had simply raised a factual point about Katter’s own migrant background, prompting the MP to respond with aggressive language.

How are all of these politicians’ rhetoric linked to transcending the message of neo-Nazis? The result could increase the atmosphere of racial hatred that could turn into a hate crime, as happened in Eastgardens against a Chinese couple, or simply motivate more people to draw swastika graffiti in our streets.

Another striking contradiction (much like Bob Katter’s one) emerged during the recent anti-immigration rallies, where even some migrants aligned themselves with the movement. One particularly revealing moment occurred when an Indian-Australian man attempted to speak at a rally, only to be heckled, booed, and physically shoved off the stage by his white supremacist colleagues.

The Australian nation began to heal from the wounds inflicted by these rallies when its leadership—most notably the Prime Minister—publicly condemned them as un-Australian. PM Albanese also drew urgent attention to a deeper concern: the deliberate fuelling of extremist narratives of division and hatred by certain political figures. Courageously, Albanese spelled out that Bob’s language is not expected from any Australian public office holder and cried out, “migration enriched us.”

Now, enough of the introduction. Let’s ask this fundamental question: why is this happening? Why are even people from migrant backgrounds becoming prey to this racist and divisive language? Why is the epidemic of racism spreading into our local communities?

Fairfield LGA is one of the most multicultural LGAs in Australia. According to the latest census, only 38.6% of its population was Australian-born. Additionally, only 8.8% identified themselves as having ‘Australian’ ancestry, and a mere 7.2% as ‘English.’  

Should these statistics make Fairfield LGA immune to the racist epidemic? Sad to say, no.

Just have a walk around Smithfield’s Brenan Park or Wetherill Park Reserve (both located within the boundaries of Fairfield LGA) and you’ll spot white supremacist, neo-Nazi posters.

Is this a coincidence? During the 2023 Indigenous Voice Referendum, in the two electorates encompassing Fairfield LGA, only in Fowler, 39.8% voted ‘Yes’. In McMahon, the figure was even lower by 5.7% from Fowler (34.1%).

What could be the main factor for this result in Fairfield LGA? Misinformation and disinformation that suggest that private property could be handled under Native Title in case the Referendum succeeded, and a land tax could be installed.

During the 2025 Federal Election, I had the privilege of campaigning alongside Tu Le, the Labor Party’s candidate for Fowler, from the very first day through to polling day. Throughout the campaign, I actively participated in grassroots efforts, including doorknocking across the electorate and distributing materials at train stations to engage directly with the constituency. My motivation for the campaign was to stand up against populism and conspiracy theories in defence of our Australian liberal democratic and multicultural way of life. However, during volunteering, I witnessed firsthand the complexities and contradictions within the electorate. I experienced racial profiling several times and saw migrants speaking out against other migrants, people in the same electorate who for decades have settled refugees, complaining about refugees. I also encountered electoral posters that appeared to target Aboriginal communities, and saw social media content bullying a candidate solely on the basis of their queer identity.

On the other hand, I’d a different experience in Albury, NSW. Prior to moving to Sydney, I lived in Albury, which is a border town between NSW and VIC. Demographically, Albury is predominantly of European heritage. What was unique about Albury? It’s sense of community and belongingness. In Albury, the Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council has done a fabulous job of bringing people from different backgrounds together. For example, you could see people from different backgrounds during the Refugee Week or Chinese Day events at Mirambeena community centre in Lavington, NSW. I still joyfully remember how people from European backgrounds volunteered to help newly settled refugees to integrate. Similarly, the visit (organised by Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council and assisted by the wonderful team of Red Cross Albury Office) to the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre memorial offered newly arrived refugees a powerful opportunity to engage with the stories of earlier European refugees who fled the devastation of World War II. This shared reflection fostered mutual understanding and connections that transcended colour, race, and religion.

How Albury whose population is smaller four times than Fairfield’s could become a nationwide model? How to create this sense of community and solidarity in capital cities like Sydney and challenge neo-Nazi narratives?

Combatting neo-Nazism begins (but doesn’t end) with unequivocal condemnation of its actions—particularly by MPs representing multicultural electorates—and is reinforced through visible civic initiatives, such as the installation of #RacismNotWelcome signs by city councils.

Fighting neo-Nazism should never be a partisan issue. It demands unequivocal condemnation from all sides of politics—not just from those in government, while opposition or independent MPs remain silent. The Member for Albury’s recent denunciation of the neo-Nazi march in Corowa, NSW, as 'cowardly' signals that resistance to racial supremacy is part of the Australian mainstream.

Here are some suggestions from someone from a refugee background:

• Dismantle tribalism: Tribalism, a socio-cultural segmentation of society and allegiance rooted in kinship, is the antithesis of modern Australia. The Australian national identity isn’t based on ethnic or religious prejudice. It’s based on citizenship; a contract between the Commonwealth and its inhabitants. All forms of tribalism—whether manifesting as neo-Nazism, white supremacy, or religious fanaticism—must be unequivocally condemned. Australia’s citizen-oriented national identity is anchored in its founding documents—the Constitution—and upheld by civic institutions such as the Parliament, High Court, Supreme Court, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Any attempt to undermine these foundational pillars should be firmly resisted.
• Acknowledgment of the Country: Although acknowledgment of the country starts with ceremonies, it doesn’t stop there. The inhabitants of different suburbs should have a deeper understanding of the land they’re based on and recognise its Aboriginal history, customs, and cultural traditions. Conspiracy theories targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people frequently originate from those who have never engaged with Indigenous Australians. That’s why it’s essential to meet and engage with local Aboriginal Elders—to listen to their stories, learn from their lived experiences, and deepen our understanding of the challenges faced by their communities.
• Intercultural Connections: Racial stereotypes and phobias towards multicultural communities often endure in environments where individuals lack substantive engagement with people from diverse backgrounds. For example, Antisemitism thrives among individuals who have never personally encountered a Jewish person. That’s why it’s important for intercultural organisations like the Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council to exist. These organisations could organise multicultural events and invite people from other communities. Additionally, educational incursions into spaces such as churches of various Christian denominations, the Sydney Jewish Museum, and Islamic centres could be organised to promote cultural literacy and interfaith dialogue. By the same token, Multicultural festivals featuring dance, cuisine, and music offer a valuable platform for engaging with and exploring diverse cultural traditions like the German Oktoberfest or Korean food experiences. Such initiatives would not only enhance awareness but also help build meaningful bridges across social and cultural divides.
• Explanation of Migration: Since colonisation, and later through Federation and the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia, the nation's character has been continually shaped by successive waves of migration. From Irish convicts to survivors of the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian genocides; from Holocaust survivors to Afghan and Bhutanese refugees; from post–World War II Yugoslav and Italian migrants to today’s South Asian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino labourers. Nevertheless, the term ‘migrant’ is a very broad one. While some migrants arrive in Australia as refugees, others come through skilled migration pathways or business investment visas. Yet anti-refugee sentiment often intensifies among those who have never heard the lived experiences of displaced people—stories marked by forced deportation from their hometowns, religious persecution, and prolonged periods in refugee camps. These realities are profoundly challenging, and too often invisible. That’s why it is vital to share these narratives and foster meaningful connections between Australian-born citizens and newly arrived refugees.
• Digital literacy: Today, we find ourselves in an era defined by the rapid proliferation of misinformation, disinformation, and the pervasive phenomenon of fake news. These distortions of truth can surface at any moment—whether we're scrolling through Instagram reels, watching TikTok videos, or reading sent/forwarded messages on WhatsApp. Social media has facilitated a range of extremist and violent acts—from the recruitment of individuals into terrorist organisations like ISIS to the widespread dissemination of misinformation during the Indigenous Voice referendum. As previously noted, Australia is a nation shaped by migration. However, some migrants arrive from totalitarian regimes where information is tightly controlled, and media freedom ranks among the lowest globally. This group of migrants may be particularly vulnerable to disinformation, misinformation, and fake news. That’s why it is essential to incorporate multiple languages into digital literacy toolkits, ensuring accessibility and empowering communities to critically engage with information.

Natan Bedrosian