NSW MP Deactivates X Account After Threats After Condemning Neo-Nazi Protest

NSW Premier Chris Minns is now looking to change hate speech laws to include ‘Nazi speech’ and ‘Nazi behaviours on Sydney streets.’

Social media apps are displayed on a phone screen in a photo illustration on Dec. 1, 2024. Roni Bintang/Getty Images

NSW Shadow Minister Kellie Sloane has deactivated X after receiving hateful messages on the platform in connection to a neo-Nazi rally.

On Nov. 9, more than 60 men affiliated with the neo‑Nazi group, the National Socialist Network, met at New South Wales (NSW) Parliament in front of a huge sign, “Abolish the Jewish Lobby.”

Labor Premier Chris Minns and the state’s police commissioner say they were not aware of the rally before it took place.

Sloane said she had forwarded messages she'd received to police after she condemned the rally. One allegedly said, “Time to shut up and die.”

“I think there are a lot of keyboard cowards, and I’m a pretty resilient individual, and I’m not easily bothered by these things,” Sloane told ABC Radio.

“No public figure, no person, whether they’re a public figure or an individual, should be subjected to this kind of vile abuse.”

Sloane also suggested it was a “complete stuff up” for police to not stop the event from going ahead.

Sloane is the member for Vaucluse in Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs, an area with a huge Jewish population. She’s also been touted as a potential future leader for the NSW Liberals.

Federal Teal MP Wentworth Allegra Spender also received threats after she described the demonstration as appalling on X.

“This group is seeking to spread vile hatred against Jewish people and undermine our great Australian multiculturalism,” she said.

“Their use of a Hitler Youth slogan is chilling.”

NSW Police Commissioner Say They Were Not Aware of Protest

Questions have now been raised as to how NSW Police allowed the rally to go ahead.

The group apparently lodged a “notice of assembly” form with law enforcement, which was not opposed.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon was not involved in the assessment process and said there was a “communication error” that led to him not being briefed.

“We’ve certainly addressed that, I’ve also taken steps to improve governance and coordination within the Office of the Commissioner. We need to make sure these things don’t happen,” Lanyon told ABC 7.30 on Nov. 10.

If he had been aware of the demonstration, Lanyon indicated he would have asked to see if there were sufficient grounds to take it to the Supreme Court.

However, the police commissioner indicated, “I can say that I am supportive of the decision that was made in this instance.”

“There was nothing there to indicate there was a risk to public safety.

Premier Minns is looking into changing hate speech laws following the rally to encompass “Nazi speech” or “Nazi behaviours on Sydney streets.”

The premier expressed sympathy for Sloane and Spender.

“My hat’s off to both of them, the fact that they’re prepared to stand up, put their views, put their beliefs for civic life in New South Wales,” Minns told reporters on Nov. 10.