Review in the works after Nazi rally outside parliament
A newly appointed police commissioner faces his first challenge, having to explain why a neo-Nazi rally outside the state parliament was allowed.
Just six weeks into his new job, NSW top cop Mal Lanyon has vowed to examine the basis for a command-level decision to allow gatherings on Sydney’s Macquarie Street on Saturday morning following laws banning incitement of racial hatred.
The protest drew the ire of Premier Chris Minns and Jewish community groups after several dozen black-clad men hung a large banner bearing the slogan “Abolish the Jewish Lobby” on the doorstep of the NSW parliament.
Those involved are believed to be members of the National Socialist Network, which has organized numerous protests in capital cities and towns over the past few years, including anti-immigrant rallies in Sydney and Melbourne.
“The part of me that struggles with these distressing images is that you don’t want to give these scumbags any more oxygen,” Mr. Minns told reporters on Saturday.
“I know holding this media conference does exactly that, but the truth is, I’ve decided that if you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.
“And does anyone believe this is their last rally? Does anyone think they’re going to stop here after they put their feet on racism in Sydney?”
“I want them to be met with a loud and clear message from government, from political leaders, from civic life, from average NSW residents, that we have nothing to do with the neo-Nazis in Sydney and Australia.”
Mr Minns flagged the possibility that the government may need to give police more legislative powers to deal with “this kind of naked hatred and racism on the streets of Sydney”.
Mr. Lanyon acknowledged that police received notice of the rally more than a week ago, but said he, too, was caught off guard.
“There was a communication error within the police department that I personally didn’t know was happening today’s protest,” he explained.
“It was decided to allow the protest,” he said.
“It was assessed by police regional command at the time based on the information available.”
The commissioner said the decision was made by officers tasked with dealing with about 2,000 protests each year.
“Obviously they need to make an assessment based on what they are comfortable with… it’s not really something they should object to.”
Mr Lanyon said there would be a full review of the process.
“I think it’s important to understand what’s happening, what’s being considered, and how that fits into the appropriate legislation that’s currently available,” he said.
Chairman of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, David Ossip, described the rally as disgraceful.
“The gruesome images and vile words of hate expressed today must never find a place or be accepted in our society, especially outside the heart of our democracy,” he said.
