Students in Brisbane have joined a coordinated nationwide protest movement taking place across Australia on Thursday, 13 August 2026, with high school and university students walking out of classes to voice opposition to Pauline Hanson and her One Nation party. The demonstrations are part of a broader student-led campaign organised around the message of saying “no” to Hanson and raising concerns about the direction of Australian politics. ABC News has confirmed that students in Brisbane, alongside students in Sydney and Melbourne, participated in the planned action today.

The protests have been organised as a national day of student action, with rallies and walkouts occurring in major Australian cities and several smaller locations. Organisers have encouraged students to speak out against what they describe as racism and the growth of far-right political influence. The campaign has attracted participation from both secondary-school and university students, expanding the demonstrations beyond traditional university-based political rallies.

In Brisbane, students gathered as part of the wider national action, bringing the political debate directly into the city’s education community. The demonstrations reflect growing interest among younger Australians in political issues, particularly questions surrounding immigration, multiculturalism, racism and the future direction of national politics.

The nationwide action has also generated criticism. Pauline Hanson and supporters of One Nation have criticised students for leaving classes to participate in political demonstrations. Hanson has argued that young people should instead focus their attention on issues such as the cost-of-living pressures facing Australian families and stagnant wages.

The student campaign comes at a time when One Nation has gained increased political attention nationally. Organisers say the demonstrations are intended to challenge the normalisation of views they consider discriminatory and to encourage young Australians to become involved in democratic debate.

The Brisbane action forms part of a much larger national movement rather than an isolated local demonstration. Reports from across Australia indicate that students have participated in coordinated walkouts throughout the day, with major cities seeing organised rallies and marches.

The protests have remained a major political and social story in Australia today, with competing reactions from student organisers, politicians and members of the public. While protesters say they are exercising their democratic right to demonstrate and oppose political positions they disagree with, critics have questioned whether students should leave school or university to participate in political rallies.

For Brisbane, the student walkout represents the local participation in a coordinated national day of political activism. Further details about the size and exact movements of the Brisbane gathering may develop as organisers and authorities provide additional information.