KARRATHA COUNCILLOR BACKS CALLS FOR UNITED AUSTRALIA MARCH

BY ASAD KHAN

Rising Costs and Strained Services at the Forefront

City of Karratha Councillor Brenton Johannsen says the March for Australia on August 31 is about addressing everyday concerns such as housing, health, and policing, not about rejecting multiculturalism. 

He argues that Australians are struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, rising rents, and declining access to essential services.

Mr Johannsen pointed to shortages in police and medical staff, noting that communities like Roebourne are already facing cuts. 

“They had lost two staff members from the Roebourne police station. They were going to be losing two more by the end of the year, and they were only able to replace it with possibly two,” he said. 

“It’s happening all across the country — police resources understaffed, medical resources understaffed.”

Immigration Concerns Focus on Skills Shortage

Mr Johannsen said the issue was not with migration itself, but with the lack of targeted skills in those arriving.

“The problem is we’re not bringing in people that are skilled…we’re just bringing in more Uber drivers and taxi drivers,” he said. 

“We don’t have the capacity at the moment to house extra people. We’re struggling to build at a rate for what people are coming into the country.”

He argued that Australia needs to prioritise specialist roles such as nurses and police officers to fill critical gaps, especially in regional areas.

Rejecting Far-Right Labels

Responding to claims that the march has been linked to far-right groups, Mr Johannsen dismissed the label as media-driven. 

“If the media wants to keep portraying people as far right, they’re labelling half the country,” he said. 

He referred to a poll showing strong public support for reducing immigration levels and claimed many participants were “everyday mums and dads” concerned about affordability.

First Nations Voices and Participation

When asked about First Nations concerns that the march could sideline Aboriginal voices, Johannsen said participation was key. 

“It’ll only sideline their voices if they fail to participate in it as well,” he said. 

“If you side with the Aboriginal flag and that represents you, that’s fine. It’s about coming together and holding the government to account.”

Mr Johannsen emphasised that the rally is intended to unite Australians under shared concerns about services, housing, and governance, regardless of background.

Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Asad Khan speak with Brenton Johannsen: