Australia Day rallies have attracted the biggest crowds in years, while aboriginal activists burned flags at separate far-left “invasion day” protests and demanded land seizures.
Tens of thousands joined patriotic marches in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, amid a resurgence in support for holding Australia Day in January 26.
In Sydney and Melbourne multiple signs saying “Free Joel Davis” were seen in the crowd, referring to the former National Socialist Network member who has been in solitary confinement in jail for more than two months after being charged for a Telegram post and repeatedly refused bail.
Massive March for Australia crowd in Sydney, too many people to fit in one clip.
Follow: @NoticerNews pic.twitter.com/bwCotGwFfF
β The Noticer (@NoticerNews) January 26, 2026
THIS IS AUSTRALIA π¦πΊπ¦πΊπ¦πΊ pic.twitter.com/nBdTklS9Vo
β Preston (@CatholicPaws) January 26, 2026
Protestors have set the Australian flag on fire at the Invasion Day rally, in Brisbane. Some can also be seen spitting on the burnt remains. #AustraliaDay #InvasionDay #Australia #Brisbane #Queensland pic.twitter.com/nmX78NDpgz
β 7NEWS Queensland (@7NewsBrisbane) January 26, 2026
Fantastic. Also in Brisbane – the burning of the Aussie Flag supported by Greens Trina Massey (tent in background). Abhorrent. pic.twitter.com/fx5fTW4yhx
β Ree Ann N (@ReeannNnew) January 26, 2026
In Brisbane One Nation leader Pauline Hanson made a speech where she hit out at the government’s new “hate speech” laws, and called Anthony Albanese the “worst prime minister I have ever seen”.
βWe can never give up our freedom of speechβ¦ I will not let them stop me. I will keep going,β she said, and criticised Labor for bringing in a record number of immigrants.
βYouβre (Mr Albanese) the one who created this mess, youβre the one who brought all these people into the country β 1,560 a day, thatβs how many are coming in,β she said.
But at the anti-Australia Day rally in the same city two aboriginal men set the Australian flag on fire as the crowd chanted “land rights now”, while similar slogans and signs were spotted at “invasion day” protests in other cities.
In Sydney one speaker said “abolish the date, abolish the state”, and banners and signs called Australia “stolen land” and a “crime scene”.
Pathetic crowd at the far-left anti-Australia Day rally at Hyde Park in Sydney.
Low energy, speakers trying to lead “What do we want? Land back” chants. pic.twitter.com/XFHwkCIQpH
β The Noticer (@NoticerNews) January 26, 2026
A man was arrested over an alleged open mic speech he made at the March for Australia rally in Sydney today, as bystanders booed and yelled “traitors” at police.
He has been charged with “publicly threatening or inciting violence” towards a group. pic.twitter.com/t4RhupjG0S
β The Noticer (@NoticerNews) January 26, 2026
One man was arrested after the Sydney rally after making a speech during the open mic segment at Moore Park where he allegedly said the Jewish lobby was behind the “hate speech” laws and shouted “free Joel Davis, hail White Australia, hail Thomas Sewell”.
Officers from the NSW Police Raptor Squad then followed him down the street through the inner city suburb of Surry Hills before arresting him as bystanders booed and shouted “traitors”.
Police charged the 31-year-old with “publicly incite hatred on ground of race causing fear”, and refused him bail to face court tomorrow.
Header image: Left, the crowds in Melbourne. Right, the Sydney march (supplied).
