Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Australia Day protest at Vic parliament

People have gathered near the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne to protest against Australia Day and rally for Aboriginal rights.

More than 150 people have gathered near Parliament House in Melbourne at a protest condemning Australia Day.

The Invasion Day protest on Tuesday, organised by the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, rejects moves to recognise indigenous people in the constitution.

"The grassroots Aboriginal community says 'no' to the recognition campaign that's been pushed onto us," organiser Meriki Onus told AAP.

"We want to control our own politics."

Robbie Thorpe, who led a smoking ceremony at Parliament Reserve, said Aboriginal people continue to suffer injustices more than 200 years after the British colonised Australia.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"This is the only Commonwealth without a treaty with the original people," he told the crowd.

Indigenous people never consented to the British coming to Australia and taking over the land, he said.

Mr Thorpe says Australia has a shameful history of Aboriginal genocide and oppression, and Australia Day is a reminder of that.


1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world