The Australian government has condemned protests across major cities against the increasing migration of Indians, stating that this “brand of far-right activism based on racism and ethnocentrism” has no place in the country.

The March for Australia campaign against immigration staged rallies in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, and several other locations, according to the group’s website.

The Anthony Albanese government spoke out against the events planned over the weekend, with a statement issued on Thursday stressing the importance of inclusivity.

“All Australians, regardless of their heritage, deserve to feel safe and welcome in our community,” the statement read.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said, “There is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion. Nothing could be less Australian.”

Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly added, “Multiculturalism is a valued and integral part of national identity. We're standing with all Australians, regardless of where they were born, against those seeking to divide us and those seeking to intimidate migrant communities. We are not intimidated. This type of far-right activism based on racism and ethnocentrism has no place in contemporary Australia.”

On its website, the March for Australia organisation claimed, “Our streets have witnessed increasing displays of anti-Australian bigotry, overseas conflicts, and eroding trust, as mass migration has rent apart the glue that bound our communities together.” It continued, “This march is a defence of the people, culture, and country which constructed Australia – and of our right to determine its future.”

In a social media post on Saturday, the group explained the rallies were to “do what the mainstream politicians never have the guts to do: call for an end to mass immigration.”

Its manifesto and campaign leaflets stated, “More Indians in 5 years, than Greeks and Italians in 100,” adding, “This isn’t a subtle cultural shift, it’s a replacement plain and simple.”

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Murray Watt told Sky News on Sunday, “We utterly condemn the March for Australia rally that’s taking place today. It’s not about enhancing social harmony. We don’t condone rallies such as this that are about disseminating hate and that are about polarising our community,” noting that they were “organised and promoted” by neo-Nazi groups.