Colin Hay condemned the unauthorised use of Men At Work’s hit Down Under at anti-immigration rallies run by March For Australia, stressing that the song was misappropriated and he does not want to be associated with xenophobia.

He emphasized that Down Under, which he co-wrote, embodies celebration, pluralism, and inclusion rather than division, and urged others to write their own songs instead.

Other artists, including John Williamson, Cold Chisel, and Icehouse, have similarly rejected distortions of their music for political ends.

Public coverage has traced organizers’ ties to neo-Nazi and white nationalist movements, including links to the National Socialist Network, as reported by ABC News and The Age.

Hay plans a brief return to Australia for a June 2026 tour.

Earlier March For Australia events in capital cities drew countervailing criticism as participants carried anti-immigration banners and included neo-Nazi groups, fueling concerns about xenophobia.

Historically, Down Under was written with irony about Australia’s identity and globalization, not as a patriotic rallying cry, though it has become a cultural icon with a complex legacy.

The nationwide protests on Australia Day featured the slogan Our national identity will not be erased, with March For Australia seeking to play the song at their rallies.

March For Australia is planning another series of nationwide demonstrations, presenting itself as defending Australia’s identity despite broad condemnation for promoting racism.

Background on Colin Hay notes his founding of Men At Work in 1978, the band’s 1981 breakthrough and global success, and his move to the United States, becoming a U.S. citizen in 2016.

The episode feeds a broader concern among Australian artists about politicizing songs and cultural symbols that otherwise convey different messages.

Down Under, released in 1981, became a global hit and is often treated as an unofficial national anthem, widely played at sports events and surpassing one billion streams since 2022.