“I am wary of committing to a fixed path simply because we declared it three years ago. It’s crucial to maintain the flexibility needed to address Australia’s evolving needs,” he emphasized.

“We anticipate that net overseas migration will continue to decrease, aligning us with suitable levels in the aftermath of the pandemic,” he noted.

The minister highlighted the importance of maintaining a respectful tone in discussions about migration.

“As a multicultural nation, it’s vital to remember that negative remarks about multicultural Australia resonate deeply with countless Australian citizens,” he asserted.

In a media statement released mid-afternoon, police reported that one individual had been taken into custody and that investigations were ongoing to identify additional suspects.

One person was arrested and investigations were underway to identify other offenders, police said in a mid-afternoon media statement.

Police officers in Melbourne deployed pepper spray and flash distraction devices as they sought to keep the rival rallies separated. Source: SBS News

“The truth is, there’s probably 40 to 50 hardcore protesters who were trying to harm the police,” West Metro Commander Wayne Cheeseman said.

The March for Australia protesters “were peaceful, were engaging, they listened to our instructions”, Cheeseman was reported by the ABC as saying.

Victoria Police North West Metro commander Wayne Cheeseman brought a rock to a mid-afternoon press conference that he said was thrown at police officers on Sunday. Source: SBS News

March for Australia organisers said rallies were planned in 14 locations — but crowds appear to have been significantly smaller than they were during earlier protests in August, when an estimated 50,000 people gathered across the nation in August.

In Sydney, the opposing marches were only a few blocks away from one another, but kept well apart.