Thousands have joined 'Invasion Day' events and rallies around the country on January 26, with the protest in Sydney drawing a heavy police presence. Invasion Day marches have been held throughout Australia today in protest of Australia Day celebrations.

NSW premier also said to be considering altering the form 1 system which protects protesters as polling shows increased support for strengthening police powers

Thousands of people rallied in cities across Australia demanding justice and rights for Indigenous peoples on Monday, a national holiday marking the 1788 arrival of a British fleet in Sydney Harbour.

Pro-Palestine protesters are planning to defy a Sydney ban to call for the restrictions and Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia to be scrapped.

A man has been charged with inciting hatred at an Australia Day rally as ugly scenes from dual protests erupted around the country.

This is about ensuring that we are enabling people to protest, enabling free speech, but make sure that the community remains safe.”

SYDNEY, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Thousands marked Australia's national day on Monday by attending "Invasion Day" rallies in support of Indigenous Australians and calling for unity, while separate anti-immigration protests also drew crowds.

Protesters planning rallies on the streets of Sydney’s CBD for Palestine and other causes have been told to “give it a break” by senior police, who have warned arrests can be expected for anyone ignoring the ban introduced in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Revised controls have been announced for Sydney’s eastern suburbs and most of the city’s CBD, but there is an exclusion for Hyde Park where there are plans for an Invasion Day rally on January 26. “It’s about getting the balance right between community safety and a right to protest,” NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.