在澳洲引發巨大爭議的新聞，與一場帶有極端主義色彩的反移民遊行有關。2025年8月31日，澳洲六大城市──雪梨、墨爾本、布里斯本、珀斯、阿德萊德與堪培拉，以及一些中小城市，同步爆發近年來規模最大的反移民集會。約有四萬多人走上街頭，高喊反移民口號，場面一度與警方對峙，甚至使部分印度裔移民因為恐懼而不敢出門。

這場遊行並非偶然，背後有著組織與策劃的痕跡。最引人注目的帶頭者是托馬斯·蘇威爾（Thomas Sewell），他是澳洲新納粹運動的代表人物。蘇威爾留著兩撇小鬍子，造型令人聯想到納粹領袖，而他本人也毫不掩飾地宣揚白人至上主義，聲稱自己是「種族主義者」，公開主張反移民、反猶太人、反伊斯蘭，甚至污名化澳洲原住民為「次等人類」。在墨爾本的遊行現場，他站在最前列，手持澳洲國旗發表煽動演說，喊出「澳洲人已經厭倦移民潮」、「總理阿爾巴尼斯必須下台」等口號，並帶領群眾高呼「澳洲人」的口號，聲勢震撼街區，迫使皇家騎警嚴陣以待，防止事態惡化。

值得玩味的是，蘇威爾本人其實來自紐西蘭，後來才成為澳洲公民。他之所以激烈反移民，是因為他自認為白人身份應享有優先地位，將澳洲視作白人的領土，而非白人族群即使在這片土地上生活了好幾代，也永遠被視為「外來者」。這種思維，實際上是澳洲歷史上「白澳政策」的陰魂再現。

「白澳政策」可以追溯到19世紀淘金熱時期，當大批中國移民湧入澳洲，他們勤勞廉價的勞動力讓白人工人感受到競爭壓力，進而透過工會施壓政府，並持續醜化華人文化傳統，引發一連串排華暴動。1888年，澳洲政府甚至全面禁止新的中國移民入境，並逐步將「保持種族純淨」確立為國策。1901年澳洲建國之初，首任總理埃德蒙·巴頓就直言「人類平等並不包括種族平等」，白人與其他種族之間存在根本性的不平等。這套白人至上的思想長期影響澳洲社會，直到20世紀中期才逐步廢除。

然而，如今的澳洲官方宣傳卻自豪地強調「多元文化」是國家的核心價值。從原住民文化，到後來數百個不同民族的移民，共同為國家建設與繁榮做出貢獻。正是這種開放與包容，讓澳洲成為全球移民的熱門目的地。矛盾的是，極右翼與新納粹的聲音卻仍在復甦，藉由房價、就業與醫療資源等社會矛盾挑動情緒，把責任推給移民群體。

過去，他們將房價高漲歸咎於中國移民，但數據顯示中國買家影響力有限，遠不足以改變房市結構。如今，他們又將工作難找、醫療排隊、住房緊張等問題怪罪於印度移民，甚至用「入侵」一詞來醜化這群群體，並喊出「把他們送回去」的口號。這種言論不僅加劇社會撕裂，也讓移民群體感到極度不安。

事實上，這並非澳洲獨有的現象，而是整個西方世界普遍的政治右轉。歐美多國紛紛收緊移民政策，有些針對非法移民，有些則直接對合法移民設置重重障礙。澳洲的這場遊行，只是全球極右翼反移民浪潮的一個縮影，反映出在經濟與社會壓力之下，種族主義思潮正在尋找新的出口。

On August 31, Australia witnessed one of the largest anti-immigration rallies in recent years, with over 40,000 people taking to the streets across six major cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra—as well as several smaller towns. Protesters shouted anti-immigrant slogans and clashed with police, creating a tense atmosphere that left many immigrants, especially those of Indian descent, afraid to leave their homes.

This demonstration was far from spontaneous; it bore signs of deliberate organization and planning. At the forefront was Thomas Sewell, a well-known leader of Australia’s neo-Nazi movement. Sewell, instantly recognizable by his small double mustache reminiscent of Adolf Hitler, openly espouses white supremacist and extremist views. He describes himself as a “racist,” promotes anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic, and anti-Islam rhetoric, and has gone so far as to dehumanize Indigenous Australians as “subhumans.” During the Melbourne rally, Sewell marched at the front of the crowd, waving an Australian flag and delivering a fiery speech. He shouted, “Australians are sick of the rising tide of mass immigration,” and called for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to step down, before leading chants of “Australians, Australians, Australians” that echoed through several city blocks. Mounted police quickly surrounded the rally, fearing that the heated protests might spiral into violence.

Ironically, Sewell himself is an immigrant, originally born in New Zealand before obtaining Australian citizenship. His anti-immigration stance stems from his belief that whiteness grants him ownership of Australia, while other ethnic groups—even those who have lived in the country for generations—should remain second-class to white Australians. This mindset echoes the infamous “White Australia Policy,” a dark chapter in the nation’s history.

The origins of this policy can be traced back to the 1850s gold rush, when large numbers of Chinese laborers arrived in Australia. Their hardworking and low-cost labor gave them a competitive edge, angering white workers who pressured the government to act. This led to waves of anti-Chinese riots and, by 1888, a complete ban on Chinese immigration. The policy evolved into an official doctrine of “racial purity,” enshrined as a national principle. Australia’s first Prime Minister, Edmund Barton, openly declared in 1901, “I do not think the doctrine of equality of man applies to racial equality. There is no racial equality; there is fundamental inequality.” This entrenched white supremacy shaped Australia’s early identity until the policy was dismantled in the mid-20th century.

Today, however, the Australian government proudly promotes multiculturalism as a core national value. It highlights that over 300 different ethnic groups—from the Indigenous peoples to new migrants—have contributed to the nation’s achievements. This inclusive ethos has made Australia a top destination for immigrants worldwide. Yet, the re-emergence of neo-Nazi groups and far-right movements threatens to undermine these values, fueling social division by scapegoating immigrants for economic and social challenges.

In the past, such groups blamed rising housing prices on Chinese immigrants, though data revealed their influence was negligible. Now, they are targeting Indian immigrants, accusing them of causing job shortages, long healthcare wait times, and housing stress. Rhetoric such as “invasion” and “send them back” has become a rallying cry, intensifying fear and hostility.

This trend is not unique to Australia. Across the Western world, countries are shifting politically to the right, tightening immigration policies. Some measures focus on illegal immigration, while others extend restrictions even to legal migrants. Australia’s recent rallies reflect this global wave of far-right, anti-immigration sentiment—showing how economic anxieties and social pressures are being exploited to revive racial nationalism.