Overview
- Tens of thousands rallied for Invasion Day across major cities alongside smaller March for Australia events, with police lines keeping opposing groups apart; in Melbourne police estimated about 17,000 at the Invasion Day march and roughly 2,000 at the counter‑protest.
- WA Police said the Perth device contained ball bearings, screws and multiple explosive compounds and alleged it was designed to detonate on impact, though it did not, leading to charges including making or possessing explosives.
- Forces in multiple states mounted highly visible operations with specialist units and, in Victoria, helmets for frontline officers, while stating there was no specific intelligence of a heightened threat.
- Reporting and police observations confirmed neo‑Nazi individuals and associates influencing March for Australia rallies, leading racist chants and featuring in incidents that prompted several arrests and investigations, including a hate‑speech arrest in Sydney.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other leaders urged calm and unity as fresh polling showed a growing majority supports keeping Australia Day on January 26.