Police questioned men wearing black at North Sydney train station on Australia Day.Credit:
“[These] idiots frankly tried to destroy[Australia Day] for millions of ordinary Australians,” Minns said. “We’re prepared to strengthen laws when we see a gap as it relates to community harmony.”
The group of about 60 boarded a train at Artarmon before midday yesterday wearing balaclavas and items to conceal their faces and carrying shields and flags,police said.
After members of the public alerted police,the train was slowed down with police stopping the group at North Sydney and issuing move-on orders.
The self-appointed leader of Australia’s neo-Nazis,Thomas Sewell,30,was ordered to stay away from the city’s Australia Day events.
“This is the first time many of them have been unmasked before,and that’s a result of NSW[Public Order certifications] legislation. I think that came as a shock to many of them … their anonymity is a weapon that they use,” Minns said.
In 2022,both NSW and Victoria banned the public display of Nazi flags and symbols. Intentionally bearing swastikas can result in a fine of more than $100,000 and a year’s jail,however,the Sieg Heil salute has yet to be criminalised.