By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
The so-called “Match for Australia” that unfolded recently is nothing short of a national disgrace. Beneath the banners and flags that claim to represent patriotism lies a dangerous undertone of racism, exclusion, and division. This event was framed as a celebration of unity, yet it quickly revealed itself as a platform for marginalization, targeting Australians of colour, migrants, and the First Peoples of this land.
> “This was not a match for unity. It was a match against Australians of colour, migrants, and the First Peoples of this land.”
— Alpha Amadu Jalloh
For those who proudly march claiming that “Australia belongs to us,” let us take a step back and revisit history. Long before any ships carrying settlers arrived, this land was home to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They nurtured the soil, celebrated culture, and built a civilization sustained for over 60,000 years. Australia was never empty land waiting to be claimed. It was stolen, violently and unapologetically.
The descendants of colonisers now stand in the streets chanting exclusionary slogans, as if they alone are the keepers of “Australianness.” Migrants, especially people of colour, have been the backbone of modern Australia. We toil in jobs many refuse to take, we build industries, we enrich culture, and we contribute immensely to the economy.
> “To claim love of country while spitting venom at those who built it up is not patriotism. It is bigotry dressed up in national colours.”
— Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Migrants are essential to Australia’s growth. We fill crucial roles in healthcare, aged care, hospitality, construction, and education. Without us, Australia’s economy would stall. Migrants are entrepreneurial, contributing to small business growth, job creation, and innovation. Our culture, food, and traditions make Australia richer and more vibrant.
Yet the Match for Australia organizers and political figures such as Bob Katter actively worked to marginalize us. Their actions betray a dangerous ideology that conflates nationalism with racism. They attempt to rewrite history while celebrating a vision of Australia that excludes the very people who keep the nation functioning. These political leaders stood with those who demonize migrants and disrespect First Nations sovereignty, betraying the values they claim to defend.
> “When politicians side with hatred instead of justice, they betray not only the people they lead but the very land they claim to serve.”
— Alpha Amadu Jalloh
The complicity of the Australian government is equally troubling. Where were the voices defending harmony, condemning racism, and protecting the dignity of all Australians? The gatekeepers of unity have allowed division to flourish unchecked. Migrants of colour have followed the laws, raised their children with respect, contributed to national growth, and yet they are vilified by the very system that should be protecting them.
It is not enough to merely point out the injustices. We must also confront the truth about who really “owns” Australia. Now let us all go back to where we came from and let’s see who genuinely is the owners of the land! The truth is undeniable: it belongs to the First Peoples, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, who have preserved the land and its culture for millennia. Settlers came by force, imposed systems of oppression, and claimed ownership through violence and exploitation.
Migrants, meanwhile, arrive legally, contribute positively, and enrich the nation. Our presence strengthens Australia socially, economically, and culturally. Yet, the Match for Australia seeks to erase these contributions and reassert a false sense of superiority among descendants of colonizers.
Australia’s economy relies heavily on migrants. We are doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and small business owners. We pay taxes, create jobs, and ensure communities thrive. Without migrants, essential sectors would collapse, yet organizers of this match chose to vilify those who make the country sustainable.
> “We came to Australia to build, not destroy. We are the hands that work, the minds that innovate, and the hearts that care for this nation.”
— Alpha Amadu Jalloh
This racist display also undermines the sovereignty of the First Nations. These communities are repeatedly marginalized, their rights ignored, and their history erased. The Match for Australia was an affront to their existence and a blatant insult to their enduring connection to the land. Instead of celebrating the true custodians, organizers and politicians chose to elevate an exclusionary ideology that diminishes the contributions of migrants and disregards the ancestral owners.
The Match for Australia was not a celebration. It was an attack on truth, history, and justice. It exposed the fragility of Australian democracy when leaders pander to xenophobia for political gain. The event showed that some politicians and organizers are more concerned with staging theatrics than ensuring inclusivity, respect, and harmony among all Australians.
Migrants are not outsiders. We are Australians in every meaningful sense. We live, work, and contribute to every aspect of society. We bring food, art, culture, and traditions that make Australia more diverse and globally connected. The hatred displayed during this match is directed at those who make Australia stronger every day.
It is time for accountability. The Australian government must actively protect its migrant communities and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples. Political leaders like Bob Katter must be publicly condemned for their actions, which amount to incitement and cultural disrespect. Australia’s strength has always been its diversity, yet this match sought to undermine the very foundation of a multicultural society.
> “A nation is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable, its newcomers, and its first people. This match failed all three.”
— Alpha Amadu Jalloh
We must reject any ideology that seeks to divide Australians along racial or ethnic lines. Migrants are integral to the Australian story. We are not guests in this nation; we are contributors, innovators, and builders. Our work in hospitals, schools, businesses, and communities ensures Australia thrives, yet we will continue to speak out against injustice.
Australia’s future depends on inclusivity, equity, and truth. Events like the Match for Australia remind us of the ongoing struggle against systemic racism and exclusionary nationalism. Migrants will continue to contribute, uphold the law, and enrich the culture, but we will also continue to defend justice.
We must remind the world: this land was not discovered; it was occupied. The First Peoples are the true owners. Migrants have come legally, contributed tirelessly, and made Australia better in every measurable way. Those who think otherwise must reckon with history.
The Match for Australia was not a celebration; it was a spectacle of ignorance, hatred, and arrogance. We owe it to the First Peoples, to future generations, and to ourselves to challenge this narrative, to speak truth to power, and to defend the principles of equity, justice, and multiculturalism.
Australia will be stronger when we recognize that diversity is not a threat; it is a source of resilience, creativity, and innovation. Migrants will continue to enrich this nation, and the First Peoples will continue to be its guardians. The rest of us must follow their example, honour their rights, and reject any attempt to erase them from the story of Australia.
About the author:
Alpha Amadu Jalloh is a youth support worker, writer, and social commentator based in Australia. He is the author of Monopoly of Happiness: Unveiling Sierra Leone’s Social Imbalance and has written extensively on issues of social justice, migration, and equality. Passionate about human rights and advocating for marginalized communities, Jalloh uses his platform to challenge inequality and amplify the voices of those often silenced in public discourse