A neo-Nazi gathering outside NSW parliament in the wake of laws banning the incitement of racial hatred has drawn anger and condemnation from Premier Chris Minns and Jewish groups.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Police have also been challenged on why the event was allowed to take place.
A group of several dozen black-clad men - reportedly members of the National Socialist Network (NSN) - were involved in the demonstration in Sydney's Macquarie Street on Saturday morning.
Photographs of the event published by the Sydney Morning Herald show the men beside a large banner draped across the gates of the parliament carrying the slogan "Abolish the Jewish Lobby".
"Part of me wrestling with those distressing images ... is that you don't want to give these pissants more oxygen," Mr Minns told reporters.
"I know holding this media conference does exactly that but the truth of the matter 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 after dipping their toe into racism in Sydney, they're going to stop here?
"I want them to be met with the clear and unambiguous message from the government, from political leaders, from civic life from average NSW residents that we've got no interest in neo-Nazis in Sydney and in Australia."
Mr Minns said it was probable the government would need to give police more legislative powers to deal with such "naked hatred and racism on Sydney's streets"'.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon says the force received notice the rally was going to take place more than a week ago but he was personally unaware.
"There was a communication error within the police force for which I did not personally know that today's protest was taking place," he told reporters.
He said a command-level decision was made to allow the gathering to proceed based on the likelihood nothing illegal or violent was going to occur.
However, that call would now be fully reviewed.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip called the display disgraceful.
"It's tempting to ignore the vile demonstration which was held today and avoid giving these dangerous neo-Nazis the attention they crave," Mr Ossip said.
"But evil left unconfronted becomes evil that is normalised.
"The chilling images and despicable words of hate which were uttered today should never find a home or be accepted in our society, especially outside the heart of our democracy."
Mr Ossip urged that the rally be carefully assessed to determine if any laws have been broken.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said police and security agencies needed the right legislative tools to monitor and disrupt violent extremists and prevent them menacing or harming Australians.
"But the single most important thing we must do is to restore decency, civility and basic rationalism to our country which would instantly remove any appeal of movements founded in pathetic ideas of overthrowing democracy and creating racial hierarchies," he added.
Numerous protests involving NSN members have been staged in capital cities and towns over the past couple of years. In September, members of the group marched at anti-immigration rallies in Sydney and Melbourne.
Australian Associated Press
