The widespread March For Australia rallies that took place across capital cities on Sunday, August 31st used the work of revered musicians to represent their cause without permission.

The marches, which the ABC reported as featuring “protesters calling for a reduction in so-called ‘mass immigration,’” drew widespread condemnation from counter-protesters, who turned out in large numbers to march in solidarity of those targeted by the March For Australia supporters.

According to reports from the likes of The Herald Sun and The Courier Mail, the Brisbane edition of these marches – which began at Roma Street Parklands before heading through the CBD – also featured loudspeakers blaring out music from Jimmy Barnes and ICEHOUSE.

The Courier Mail reported that Cold Chisel’s 1984 song Flame Trees “was bellowing out from speakers as the crowd arrived” at Parliament House, while Barnes’ 1985 single Working Class Man was sung by a performer following the conclusion of speeches on George St.

Meanwhile, The Herald Sun noted that ICEHOUSE’s 1982 track Great Southern Land “boomed out of speakers” as crowds gathered at Parliament House.

In a statement obtained by The Music, a PR representative for both ICEHOUSE and Barnes confirmed that “no approval was sought, and no permission was given, for the use of their works at the rallies.”

No public statement has been offered by the artists themselves in relation to the use of their songs at these events, though it’s not the first time that Barnes’ work had been appropriated by groups that did not align with his values.

In July 2015, Reclaim Australia was reported to be using Cold Chisel’s Khe Sanh at their Brisbane rallies, with Barnes himself responding to the news on social media.

“I only want to say the Australia I belong to and love is a tolerant Australia,” he wrote on Facebook. “A place that is open and giving. It is a place that embraces all sorts of different people, in fact it is made stronger by the diversity of its people.

“If you look at my family you can see we are a multicultural family,” he added. “Australia needs to stand up for Love and Tolerance in these modern times.

“None of these people represent me and I do not support them.”

Alongside these incidents, The Living End also took to their Instagram Stories to alert fans to the fact that two of their songs were “played at the anti-immigration marches over the weekend by members of a neo-Nazi group.”

“To be absolutely clear, the goals and philosophies of these marches are abhorrent to us, and we don't support them in any way,” the statement – jointly signed by Chris Cheney, Scott Owen, and Andy Strachan – read.

“The Living End's world view is about equality and we aim for our songs to be a positive influence. We believe in a fair go for everyone. Our songs are written to bring people together not to divide them, and especially not to be used in this way.

“In summary: Fuck Nazis,” they concluded.