Calls for tougher laws after ‘disgraceful’ mistake allows neo-Nazi protest outside NSW parliament to slip through cracks
Almost 70 neo-Nazis from the White Australia organisation were armed with a banner that read “Abolish the Jewish Lobby” yesterday, using the NSW state parliament as the stage for their protest.
The neo-Nazis applied to protest ahead of time, made clear their intention to rally against Jewish groups and were given the green light by police 10 days ago.
Neo-Nazis used NSW state parliament as their stage today to launch a bitter attack on Jewish groups. (9News)
Nationals leader David Littleproud described the incident as “disgraceful” and said the rally was a stark reminder of the kind of hatred still being perpetrated in plain sight.
“It is disgraceful. And these sorts of animals shouldn’t be allowed on the streets to chant that sort of hate,” Littleproud said.
“They’re trying to import hate from overseas into this country, and we’re better than that.”
Littleproud said the protest should never have taken place and called for laws to respond to the troubling neo-Nazi movement.
“There was a mistake by the police and someone should pay a price for that,” he added.
“I think obviously there’ll be learnings. It’s a reminder that these people are still there, they still want to perpetrate this hate.
“We have to be vigilant, not just as legislators or institutions, but as Australians.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon and NSW Premier Chris Minns yesterday confirmed they had no idea it was going ahead.
“I take it very personally, there was a communication error within the police force for which I did not personally know that today’s protest was taking place,” Lanyon said.
“Accordingly, I had not briefed the minister of police or government.”
NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon and NSW Premier Chris Minns yesterday confirmed they had no idea it was going ahead. (9News)
Minns also pointed to new legislation to stop it from happening again.
“It’s obviously shameful that these people feel that they have the right to demonstrate in such a despicable, hateful way, spewing division and racism on the streets of Sydney,” Minns said.
Police are reviewing the footage to determine whether any hate speech crimes were committed.
