‘Cowards and goons': Premier condemns neo-Nazi march through Melbourne CBD
About 100 people dressed in black face coverings from the National Socialist Network - a far-right neo-Nazi group - marched through the Bourke Street mall at 12.40am on Saturday.
As the group made its way along Bourke Street several police cars drove alongside the protesters.
In videos posted to social media, members of the protest group, led by white supremacist leader Thomas Sewell, can be seen waving the Australian and National Socialist Network flags and holding banners stating: 'White man fight back'.
A 26-year-old man who confronted the group was allegedly assaulted and was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
According to police, the group walked to Flagstaff Gardens where they dispersed at about 1.25am.
A police spokesman said no arrests were made throughout the protest, and added that 'police had a strong presence to maintain community safety and to prevent any breach of the peace'.
'Victoria Police respects the right to protest, however, there is absolutely no place for such anti-Semitic, racist or hate-based behaviour in our society and police will not tolerate such activity.'
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the march in a statement, saying: 'Nazis don't belong in this country and they know it. That's why they hide behind masks in the dark.'
She also thanked officers for maintaining 'public order', and said police needed 'more powers, and we're giving it to them'.
'Our criminal Anti-Vilification laws come into effect next month,' the premier said in a statement.
'We will introduce powers for police to unmask cowards at protests after that. We're not afraid of these goons – but we won't tolerate them either.'
In a post on social media, Opposition Leader Brad Battin described the march as 'appalling'.
'This behaviour is unacceptable and does not align with the values of an inclusive, tolerant and multicultural state,' he said.
Mr Battin accused the government of being 'afraid to take a stand' against anti-Semitic and racist protests and had 'lost control of our streets'.
'Protesters are now travelling from interstate to join these hateful rallies. Under the Allan Labor government, Victoria has become the hate capital - a place where this behaviour is allowed to thrive.'
David Southwick, opposition spokesman for police and corrections, said that both the far-right and far-left were 'taking advantage of a weak and ineffective government'.
He accused the Victorian government of failing 'to confront rising violence and extremism' across the state.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, described the march as a 'war parade'.
'Yesterday, Melbourne witnessed a scene that should freeze the blood of every Australian: an army of neo-Nazis marching in formation through our streets,' he said.
Dr Abramovich, who led the national campaign that resulted in the banning of the Nazi swastika, salute and sale of Third Reich memorabilia, called on politicians to act.
'I call on the Prime Minister and parliament to outlaw every neo-Nazi and white-supremacist organisation operating in this country,' he said.
'These are not activists … (and) the law must recognise them for what they are – organised extremists.' Nation
As Anthony Albanese meets Christopher Luxon at the weekend, Wellington's determination to tighten its ties to Australia will be front and centre. Nation
Isabella Cepa was forced to flee Brazil after facing 25 years jail for 'misgendering' a powerful MP. In a world-first, she's been granted asylum in Europe to escape persecution over her stand.
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