UPDATE: Former Labor minister Ed Husic has sharply rebuked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for suggesting that “good people” attended the controversial March for Australia rallies last weekend. Husic’s comments come amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration and far-right activism in Australia.
In a striking interview on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, Husic stated, “I haven’t seen a good fascist yet,” pushing back against Albanese’s assertion that among the neo-Nazis and far-right activists present at the rallies, there were individuals genuinely concerned about immigration. Husic emphasized, “Those rallies were whipped up by far-right extremists and neo-Nazis. A lot of people were warned about that.”
This exchange highlights growing unease within the Labor Party regarding Albanese’s characterization of the rally attendees. Reports indicate that during a closed-door caucus meeting on October 17, 2023, Labor MP Mary Doyle expressed concerns, stating, “bad things did happen at the rally, where do we draw the line?”
As tensions escalate, Albanese reiterated that not all protesters were associated with extremist groups, cautioning against generalizations. He admitted to being shocked by the visible presence of far-right activists “openly in uniform.”
The Prime Minister condemned the rallies for providing a platform to neo-Nazi groups exploiting immigration grievances to create public division. “There’s always good people who will turn up to demonstrate their views about particular issues. But what we have here is neo-Nazis being given a platform,” he stated.
In a parallel controversy, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price attempted to clarify previous inflammatory remarks suggesting that the Labor Party promotes specific ethnic group migration for electoral gain. Hours after her comments sparked outrage, she retracted her statements, affirming, “Australia maintains a longstanding and bipartisan non-discriminatory migration policy.”
The March for Australia rallies have raised significant concerns over the targeting of Indian Australians. Politicians, including Anne Aly and Julian Leeser, have expressed alarm at the apparent rise in racism directed towards this community. Aly noted, “One of the very clear calls to action [at the rallies] that was listed there was anti-Indian immigration.”
Husic, who has been vocal since returning to the backbench, reiterated Australia’s commitment to a nondiscriminatory immigration system. His remarks reflect a growing sentiment among lawmakers who are increasingly alarmed by the normalization of extremist rhetoric in public discourse.
As the nation grapples with these issues, the Labor Party faces internal pressures to address the rising tide of far-right sentiments and its implications for Australia’s multicultural identity. With elections approaching, the fallout from these rallies could have significant ramifications for the party and its leadership.
NEXT: Political analysts are closely monitoring how these developments affect public sentiment and policy discussions moving forward. The Labor Party’s response and internal cohesion will be critical as they navigate this complex landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops.
