The Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council (BRTLC) has spoken out against a group of about 35 masked men wearing black, who marched through the centre of Ballarat on December 3, with a banner sporting the words: “Australia for the white man”.
The date marks the anniversary of the Eureka Blockade.
The BRTLC, which organised a peaceful inclusive dawn service to mark the occasion, condemned the “cowardly” fascists. It said the BRTLC said it will “never allow” the far right to co-opt the symbols of Eureka: “they belong to everyone who stands for justice, democracy, liberty and freedom for all”.
“Our movement carried the story and the symbols since 1956 in Ballarat through [the] times … and we carry the true spirit of Eureka and the sacrifice of so many men and women who were killed to fight oppression and tyranny of the Eureka lead.”
The BRTLC said the Eureka flag represents the “best of our multicultural nation”, and is a refuge “for all people, regardless of their faith, colour and creed”.
The BRTLC said the working people of Ballarat will never welcome fascists.