Man charged with hate speech after investigation into disbanded neo-Nazi protest outside NSW parliament
The charge relates to a protest by the National Socialist Network where participants allegedly displayed a banner reading "Abolish the Jewish Lobby" and delivered speeches outside Macquarie Street.
A 32-year-old man has been charged with publicly inciting hatred on the grounds of race and causing fear following an investigation into a protest staged by the disbanded National Socialist Network outside the NSW parliament in November. Police arrested the defendant at a residence in South Penrith at 1.45pm yesterday evening after reviewing the event and two speeches allegedly made by participants during the demonstration.
The offence falls under section 93ZAA of the NSW Crimes Act, a provision criminalising public incitement of hatred on the grounds of race which was introduced into law in August 2025. The man has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in local court on 3 June to answer to the charge.
The incident stems from a rally held on 8 November on Macquarie Street, where approximately 60 members of the group stood in formation carrying a banner reading "Abolish the Jewish Lobby". At the time of the application for the public assembly, NSW Police did not oppose the request after receiving legal advice that the banner did not meet the threshold for hate speech.
Following the event, an investigation was undertaken by the security investigation unit, counter terrorist and special tactics command. Police stated they sought legal advice regarding the public assembly and the content of the speeches before identifying the individual for arrest at his home in South Penrith.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley previously indicated in February that six people had been charged under the new hate speech offence. The National Socialist Network disbanded in January, prior to the introduction of federal legislation aimed at proscribing alleged hate groups.
