A growing political divide over race, identity and multiculturalism has spilled onto Australia’s streets, with thousands of students joining demonstrations against Pauline Hanson and the One Nation party.

The protests, held across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and several other locations, were organised by the National Union of Students and attracted both university students and younger school students.

But the demonstrations come against a much bigger shift in Australian politics.

The latest Roy Morgan poll puts One Nation’s primary vote at 26%, a significant increase from its position a year earlier. The surge has made Hanson one of the most prominent figures in Australia’s current political debate and has intensified concerns among opponents about the direction of the country’s politics.

Hanson has argued that young Australians should instead be protesting issues such as the cost-of-living crisis, wages and economic pressures. One Nation MP Rickie-Lee Tyrrell also rejected claims that the party is racist, saying its supporters and candidates come from diverse backgrounds.

The student demonstrations highlight a generational dimension to the debate. Some younger protesters said they were motivated by concerns about equal rights, racism and the treatment of minority and LGBTQ+ communities.

The issue has also drawn political criticism from both sides. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare urged students to remain in school during school hours, arguing that protests should not come at the expense of education.

Meanwhile, One Nation’s growing support is forcing Australia’s major political parties to respond to questions around immigration, national identity and multiculturalism.

Hanson has also recently attracted attention after advocating for a more “monocultural” Australia, a position her critics say threatens the country’s multicultural character.

The demonstrations therefore represent more than opposition to one politician. They reflect a broader contest over what Australian identity should look like in the future and how much influence younger generations will have in shaping it.

With One Nation polling strongly and political tensions increasing, Australia’s debate over multiculturalism, race and national identity is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.