What began as a small idea grew into a national movement, with Australia First marches held across the country.
In Bundaberg the march was organised by Arno Blank, who had previously run as a candidate for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.
On August 31st and September 14th, the Wide Bay community marched under the banner of “Australia first, fairness for our people, and a future worth fighting for,” aimed to highlight pressures facing everyday Australians.
The march was not about race or religion, organisers stressed, but about unity. Participants included people from all backgrounds, including migrants and Indigenous Australians, with the message that “if your heart is here, you belong.”
Key concerns driving the movement included the housing crisis, rising cost of living, hospital pressures, and what participants described as unsustainable levels of immigration straining essential services. Other frustrations ranged from government spending and the failed Voice referendum to broader dissatisfaction with political leadership.
The rallies were promoted as family-friendly and peaceful, with organisers distancing themselves from extremist groups and encouraging Australians to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in their communities if they could not attend a major city march.
At its heart, the movement was framed around fairness and a shared love of country. “This is about Australians, all Australians, having a fair go,” organisers said.
Chitchat Newspaper. October 2025