Words and photos by Kalab Templeman – Sydney, NSW – October 19, 2025

Thousands of demonstrators flooded central Sydney today for the nationwide “March for Australia”, calling for a reduction in the country’s immigration intake. The rally — one of several held across capital cities — reignited the ongoing debate over population growth, housing affordability, and cultural change in Australia.

An estimated 5,000+ people joined the Sydney march, waving Australian flags and carrying signs that linked rising living costs and infrastructure pressures to what organisers described as “unsustainable migration.” The event drew a passionate, highly vocal crowd united in its call for policy reform and greater government transparency on population targets.

Counter-Protests and Police Presence

Running parallel to the main rally was a counter-demonstration titled “Unite Against Racism,” organised by a coalition of unions, advocacy groups, and multicultural organisations. Counter-protesters accused the “March for Australia” organisers of promoting exclusionary politics, instead urging compassion, inclusion, and support for migrants and refugees.

NSW Police maintained a strong presence throughout the day, setting up barriers to keep both groups apart and ensure that tensions didn’t spill over. Officers were stationed at key intersections and along the rally route, closely monitoring interactions between the two camps.

While Sydney’s demonstrations remained largely peaceful, reports from Melbourne indicated that minor clashes occurred, with police confirming that projectiles — including rocks and bottles — were thrown. Two officers sustained minor injuries, and crowd control measures were briefly deployed to contain the situation.

A National Debate Rekindled

The rallies underscored a broader national divide on migration policy and social cohesion. For many participants, the issue goes beyond numbers — it’s about infrastructure strain, housing shortages, and whether current immigration levels align with the country’s economic and social capacity.

Supporters of the “March for Australia” argue that Australia’s housing crisis, rising rents, and public service strain can’t be fixed without revisiting immigration targets. Critics, however, warn that these arguments risk fuelling xenophobia and misinformation, overlooking the significant role migration plays in Australia’s workforce, innovation, and long-term growth.

Government officials and policy experts have continued to call for a measured and respectful national conversation, reminding the public that Australia’s identity and prosperity are deeply tied to its migrant history.

Through the Lens: A Photographer’s Perspective

Photographing the Sydney rally was like stepping into a moving conversation, passionate, divided, and emotional. Through the lens, I saw faces that reflected anger, hope, pride, and fatigue. The Australian flag, ever-present, symbolised unity for some and exclusion for others.

From a photographer’s standpoint, the day unfolded in waves: chants echoing off buildings, police guiding marchers down major streets, and moments of calm between the noise. Each shot had to balance scale and sentiment from sweeping crowd views to close-ups that captured tension and humanity in equal measure.

The Visual Record: Capturing a Divided Moment

The photographic documentation of today’s rally tells the story beyond words. Wide shots show a sea of blue, red, and white stretching across Sydney’s CBD. Close-up frames capture handwritten slogans, determined faces, and the heat of debate sometimes angry, sometimes thoughtful.

Signs reading “Stop Mass Migration,” “Save Our Future,” and “Unite for Fair Housing” reveal the movement’s central themes: frustration with the status quo, fear of being unheard, and a desire for control over national policy. Meanwhile, counter-protesters held banners defending multiculturalism, diversity, and compassion, reflecting the equally strong emotions on the other side of the discussion.

Together, these images serve not just as coverage but as a visual archive of a nation wrestling with identity. They capture what words often miss the tension, pride, and passion of ordinary Australians confronting complex questions about who we are and who we want to be.

Beyond the Noise

What stood out most wasn’t the shouting or the spectacle — it was the conviction. Everyone there believed they were standing up for Australia’s future. Whether arguing for stricter immigration or greater inclusion, both sides were fighting for something they deeply cared about.

That’s what makes this day worth documenting. In an age where online debate can feel disconnected, these rallies and the people who show up to them, remind us that democracy still happens face-to-face, on the street, in full view of the nation.

A Moment Worth Remembering

This collection isn’t about taking sides. It’s about preserving a moment in time. A visual record of Australia in 2025, divided yet engaged, uncertain yet outspoken.

You can view the full Sydney “March for Australia” photo gallery below, featuring more than 100 (watermarked) high-resolution images capturing the movement, the counter-protest, and the city that hosted them both.

Protesters in Sydney

Speaker: Craig Kelly

Celine Against The Machine-Social Media Personality

Councillor Steve Cristou

Protesters watching speaches

Protesters: front row during speaches

Australian flags flying

Crowds walk to Hyde Park

NSW police presence

Protesters marching the streets of Sydney

The Signs

If there was one thing that defined the “March for Australia” rally, it was the signs. They cut through the noise and summed up exactly what the crowd was feeling — frustration, distrust, and a belief that Australia’s direction has gone wrong. Some messages were grounded in policy — “Where’s the Houses,” “Quality Immigration, Not Quantity,” and “Fix Australia First.” Others carried sharper political anger: “Albo’s a Traitor,” “Worst PM in History,” and “No Digital ID.” A few stepped into the realm of conspiracy, with slogans like “They’re Killing Us Slowly with Chemtrails.” References to Pauline Hanson were common too, with one sign declaring, “Pauline Hanson Was Right All Along,” echoing through sections of the crowd.

Visually, the signs dominated the day and became the heartbeat of every photo. From small cardboard sheets written in thick marker to polished banners and Australian flags doubling as statements, they gave the rally its tone and texture. Each slogan reduced a complex issue — from housing and migration to political mistrust — into a single line meant to provoke, challenge, or rally support. In the photos, they don’t just decorate the scene; they define it.