Senator Jacinta Price Withdraws from 'Put Australia First' Rallies Amid Tommy Robinson Controversy

Senator Price Pulls Out of 'Put Australia First' Rallies

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a Liberal Senator for the Northern Territory, has withdrawn her commitment as a keynote speaker from the upcoming 'Put Australia First' rallies across Australia. The decision, made on November 10, 2025, came swiftly after controversy erupted over the planned virtual involvement of British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Controversy Surrounds Tommy Robinson's Involvement

The 'Put Australia First' rallies, organized by activist Monica Smit and others associated with the 'freedom' movement, are scheduled for late November in major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The events are positioned as anti-immigration protests.

The central point of contention was the inclusion of Tommy Robinson, who is expected to deliver a pre-recorded video address. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is widely known as a British anti-Islam campaigner and a prominent far-right activist. He co-founded the now-defunct English Defence League (EDL) and has a history of criminal convictions, including for violence and public order offenses. Critics have highlighted his ties to fascism and anti-Islamic groups, and his promotion of 'the great replacement conspiracy theory'.

Senator Price's Swift Reversal

Senator Price had initially announced her participation on social media (X, formerly Twitter) on Friday, November 7, 2025, expressing that she was 'honoured to stand with fellow Australians who share our unyielding commitment to national sovereignty and prosperity.' She framed the event as a platform for 'everyday Aussies demanding real change.' However, less than 24 hours after her announcement, and following inquiries from media outlets such as Guardian Australia regarding Robinson's involvement, her social media posts promoting the event were deleted.

Her office subsequently cited 'personal commitments' as the reason for her withdrawal. This reversal underscores the political sensitivity surrounding the rallies and the figures associated with them.

Broader Context and Political Implications

The 'Put Australia First' rallies follow similar anti-immigration gatherings in August 2025 in Australia, which were marred by violence and the presence of neo-Nazis. While organizers of the upcoming events insist that neo-Nazis will be unwelcome, Robinson's involvement has fueled skepticism and raised concerns among community leaders and migrant-advocacy organizations about the potential for inflammatory rhetoric and xenophobia.

Senator Price's withdrawal also comes after a period of political scrutiny. In September 2025, she was removed from the Coalition frontbench following unsubstantiated claims she made about the Labor government's migration policy targeting specific ethnic groups, particularly Indian migrants. She had refused to apologize for these comments or endorse the leadership of Sussan Ley. The incident highlights the ongoing and often contentious debate surrounding immigration in Australian politics.