Minns Urges Cancellation Of Anti-Immigration Rally In Sydney Amid Bondi Mourning
Image: 2GB Sydney/X
Hundreds are set to gather in inner south Sydney this afternoon for an anti-immigration rally, despite NSW Premier Chris Minns’ direct plea to cancel the event on the city’s one-week anniversary of the Bondi terror attack.
The “Put Australia First” rally, scheduled for 2pm at Prince Alfred Park, will feature Independent MP Barnaby Joyce and One Nation Senator Sean Bell.
Organisers frame anti-immigration rally as stand against ‘treason’ and extremism
Freedom Party leader Morgan Jonas, one of the rally’s organisers, describes the event as a response to immigration policies he calls “treason” and a stand against what he describes as “radical Islamic theology.”
He told news.com.au the government has “fundamentally failed to control extremism,” pointing to attacks on Jewish businesses, vandalised synagogues, and public Nazi rallies across Australia.
Jonas rejected calls to cancel the gathering, calling it an exercise of free speech, and said marshals will enforce a zero-tolerance approach to racism, antisemitism and violence.
Organisers also claim the protest demonstrates solidarity with the Jewish community, framing the Bondi attack as “an assault on liberal values, peace, and social harmony, and therefore, all Australians.”
Jewish leaders, however, have criticised the timing as insensitive, while organisers maintain that some members of the Jewish community back the rally.
A parallel rally is planned outside Victoria’s Parliament House, with Libertarian MP David Limbrick and Jonas listed as speakers.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan and Jewish leaders have condemned the event, warning it risks inflaming grief on a national day of reflection.
Zionism Victoria president Elyse Schachna said a day set aside for mourning is “not an appropriate day for rallies or protest.”
Premier Minns urges rally cancellation amid mourning
Minns condemned the Sydney anti-immigration rally in blunt terms, saying its timing could deepen trauma for those mourning the 15 people killed at a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi last Sunday.
“Don’t do it. Don’t go ahead with it,” Minns said on Sunday morning to Nine’s Today. “People are burying their dead. The Jewish community are coming together to mourn the loss of so many people in their family. The focus right now should be on lowering the temperature in what is undeniably a combustible situation.”
Minns confirmed NSW Police have not received a permit for a street march and said any request would be refused. While the park gathering is lawful, any attempt to block roads would be illegal and met with police intervention.
The protests come as governments step up measures in response to the Bondi attack. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a national gun buyback and new federal offences targeting aggravated hate speech by preachers and leaders who promote violence.
Minns is proposing expanded NSW police powers to temporarily restrict assemblies during high-risk periods, including after terrorist attacks, and to ban slogans like “globalise the intifada,” which he says encourage violence. The measures are not yet law.
NSW Police heighten security measures ahead of NYE celebrations
Meanwhile, Sydney is preparing for the holiday season amid heightened security.
Anti-terrorism patrols have increased across the CBD, and concrete bollards have been deployed in high-traffic areas including Martin Place. Police say operations are robust and flexible, designed to keep the city safe while allowing New Year’s Eve events to proceed.
Authorities are urging the public to remain alert, though the national threat level remains unchanged.
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