Thomas Sewell, leader of the Australian neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network (NSN), disrupted a press conference held by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on the morning of September 2, shouting insults and declaring a plan to “take back the country” before being removed by security. The incident drew widespread condemnation, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling Sewell’s actions “shocking.”
Sewell, a white supremacist with a history of violence, is currently facing charges including intimidating police and breaching court orders. He has recently been active at anti-immigration rallies, delivering public speeches promoting extremist views, although organizers deny formal links to neo-Nazi groups. On the same day, far-right individuals attacked an Indigenous protest camp, leaving several injured.
Authorities estimate about 5,000 people attended the Melbourne rally, far fewer than the 50,000 claimed by Sewell. Minister for Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly criticized the protests as racially motivated and warned that far-right groups are spreading misinformation.
The NSN is not currently listed as a terrorist organization, but experts warn that neo-Nazi and anti-immigration movements are exploiting social tensions, posing a growing threat to Australia’s multiculturalism and public safety.