Canberra's Australia Day Public Holiday Sees Dual Protests at Parliament House
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Canberra today, marking the Australia Day public holiday with two significant demonstrations around the Parliamentary Precinct. The capital city has become a focal point for competing expressions of national identity and political dissent.
Invasion Day March Commences in City Centre
A planned Invasion Day march began at 10am on Monday, January 26, starting in the City before proceeding along Commonwealth Avenue Bridge toward Parliament House. The demonstration concluded at Old Parliament House, with protesters initially gathering at Garema Place around 9.30am before marching to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
Commonwealth Avenue experienced temporary closures as the group moved through the area, creating brief but significant traffic disruptions. Police advised motorists to consider alternative routes if they wished to avoid delays in the city and Parliamentary Precinct.
March for Australia Rally Draws Controversy
A separate protest, the March for Australia, commenced at midday beginning at Parliament House before concluding at Lennox Gardens in Yarralumla. Information circulated about this anti-immigration rally stated the government's "push for 'Modern Australia' is eradicating our national identity and making our country unsafe."
This demonstration has faced condemnation from multiple community organizations, including the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum and the ACT Human Rights Commission, who have expressed concerns about the rally's messaging and potential impact on community cohesion.
Police Response and Traffic Management
An ACT Policing spokesperson emphasized that while the right to peaceful protest is supported, authorities would not tolerate the disruption of business activities or any criminal behavior. Police confirmed they would provide traffic disruption updates as needed through their official social media channels.
"Minor traffic disruptions were possible as the marches move through the city and Parliamentary Precinct," police stated, advising drivers to plan their routes carefully if they wished to avoid potential delays in the affected areas.
Historical Context and Community Impact
The dual protests reflect ongoing national debates about Australia Day's significance and the country's evolving identity. The Invasion Day march continues a tradition of Indigenous-led protests on January 26, while the March for Australia represents a contrasting perspective on immigration and national identity.
These simultaneous demonstrations have transformed Canberra's Parliamentary Precinct into a contested space on what is traditionally a public holiday, highlighting the complex and sometimes conflicting narratives surrounding Australia's national day celebrations.
