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A rally in Canberra has urged the cessation of widespread immigration into Australia.
Several hundred people assembled on the parliamentary grounds, adorned with the national flag, to hear One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who received an enthusiastic reception akin to that of a rockstar.
Hanson addressed the crowd, questioning the absence of more political figures: “Politicians, you might get a few of us down here, but then again, where are the rest of the bastards, why aren’t they here?”
In the vicinity, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor commented on ABC’s Insiders, expressing concerns that the current migration levels have exceeded even Labor’s own targets.
Taylor emphasized that while the Coalition would prioritize migrants from liberal democracies, they would remain inclusive of others.
“Many good people come from bad countries, but there is a higher risk that some bad people will come from those bad countries,” he said.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan also addressed the protest on the lawn of parliament, saying: “You don’t share our values? You’re getting deported. You’re going back overseas.”
Organisers say there will be more of these rallies across the country in the coming months.
In the meantime, it is a smaller group of Australian citizens causing headaches for the government.
Minister Chris Bowen said the government was providing “absolutely zero assistance to them”.
“That is not something this government will be doing,” he said.
The group, made up of women and children, are Australian citizens and will likely face domestic charges upon arrival back home.
Health Minister Mark Butler told Sky News: “If they manage to get to Australian borders and have committed any sort of crime, they’ll be met with the full force of the law at those borders.”