Anti-Islam protests in Australia against Sharia law and halal tax turned violent after demonstrators clashed with anti-racism activists who burned the country's flag. Police were forced to separate the Reclaim Australia supporters and opponents of the group in Melbourne, after clashes turned ugly and several people had to be treated by paramedics. The protests came as companies seeking to label their foods halal - must pay fees to Islamic organisations for inspection and certification. Scroll down for video . Anti-Islam protesters clashed the anti-racism activists during a rally in Federation Sqaure in Melbourne yesterday . Across Australia, 16 rallies were scheduled to take place, but Sydney and Melbourne drew the biggest crowd . Several were injured during the violent rally that saw hundreds of people protest for anti-racism . Two people were arrested in Melbourne after they attempted to break through a police barricade that separated the groups . Recent figures show the halal sector could be worth $1.5 trillion worldwide by 2050. Across the country, 16 rallies were scheduled to take place, with events in Sydney and Melbourne appearing to have drawn the biggest crowds. About 500 people attended the rally held in Martin Place, Sydney, which included speeches from former Australia Defence League member Shermon Burgess and Rise Up! Australia Party NSW President Norm Bishop. There was a strong police presence throughout the protest, which included riot police. Two people were taken away by officers after they rushed the stage and attempted to disrupt the rally. One took the microphone and told the crowd they should be 'ashamed'. In Melbourne, protesters clashed with anti-racism activists in Federation Square. Two people were arrested after they attempted to break through a police barricade that separated the different groups. A clash of anti-Islam and anti-racism groups turned dangerous and violent during protests in Melbourne . More than 100 police officers, eleven mounted on horses were used to form the separation wall . Melbourne police formed a barrier between the separate rallies to attempt to disperse the protesters . Anti-racism supporters burn Australian flag at in retaliation to the Reclaim Australia protest in Melbourne . Protesters clashed with anti-racist activists in Melbourne as tensions rose . Several more were injured in the combative protests, according to reports. The protests came as the Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, far right Australian political party, defended the anti-Islam protests and said imposing halal certification on Australians was wrong. On Sunday morning's Today show she was asked for her views on businesses 'going to the wall' if halal certification of food products was scrapped. 'It's a profit, money-making racket and has been connected with the Muslim Brotherhood in France. Why can't we have an investigation into where the money actually goes?' she claimed. When told by the interviewer that there was no basis to any of these claims Ms Hanson replied: 'Why do Australians have to pay tax for halal certification? It is a money making racket. Why do Australians have to pay extra when they buy this product?' Crowd numbers grew during the afternoon, and some protesters had to be treated by paramedics . Two people were taken away by police officers after they rushed the stage and attempted to disrupt the rally . Ms Hanson added that an investigation was needed into halal certification in Australia. 'It's extortion that has been put onto businesses that you must pay this money,' she said. 'A Muslim does not have to have halal certification, they can say a prayer over their food. Then it's OK. 'We don't need this, we're being hoodwinked. It's a racket, a money-making racket.' Ms Hanson, who narrowly lost her fight for a seat in the 2015 Queensland election, joined hundreds of protesters in King George Square in Brisbane on Saturday. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson denied that there was any violence or confrontations at the Brisbane rally . Speaking earlier on the Today programme Mrs Hanson defended the anti-Islam protests and said imposing halal certification on Australians was wrong . Many were draped in the Australian flag and carried signs denouncing sharia law and halal certification for Australian products. She denied that there was any violence or vitriol at the rally. 'There was no violence at the Brisbane rally whatsoever. Islam is not a race so therefore we're not talking about racism here whatsoever. Criticism is not racism. We have a right to have a say and have an opinion,' she said. 'We don't like Islam and we're in fear about what Islam can do to our country, our culture and our way of life. Australians have a right to say this is not going to work. We want a peaceful cohesive society.' The violent scenes came after a Twitter account claiming to be linked with anti-Islam groups has mocked protests being held around Australia. Hundreds of people attended the 'Reclaim Australia' rally which was held in Martin Place, Sydney . Protesters in the crowd carried flags and chanted  “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - Oi, Oi, Oi” and many carried banners denouncing Islam . It was originally thought Reclaim Australia had handed over the reigns to one of their supporters to control their feed throughout the protests. 'Whats wrong with muslims anyway? I dun get it,' one tweet from the account read. 'In the car reading stuff - wots xenophobia? help me out,' another said. However, 'Jeremy' began to tweet a number of joke comments shortly after the Sydney protest got underway. 'Man f**k this noise I'm gonna get stoned in the park peace out.' Once the tweets began to get attention, a 'statement' was released that explained its account was misused and it then said other events around the country would be cancelled. Two people were taken away by officers after they rushed the stage and attempted to disrupt the rally . Protesters cheered as speakers said Australians had to be aware and alert to the threat of Islam and sharia law . However, organisers behind the Sydney protest were quick to disassociate themselves with the account. 'It's not us,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'Ours is @reclaim_aus.' Twitter users quickly began to poke fun at the group after doubts over the page emerged. 'Maybe before you you practice on something small like reclaiming your Twitter account. Work up to the big stuff slowly,' one said.
Protesters clashed with anti-racism activists at rallies across Australia . The anti-Islam protests were against Sharia law and the so-called halal tax . Clashes turned ugly and several people required medical treatment in Melbourne .