The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has condemned masked neo-Nazis who marched through Melbourne's CBD in the early hours of Saturday, pledging new powers for police to tackle such demonstrations.
About 100 people dressed in black with face coverings marched through the city, including down Bourke Street, carrying Australian flags and chanting, police said. The group, described as a 'pop-up protest', began at about 12.40am and eventually walked to Flagstaff Gardens, where they dispersed at about 1.25am. Footage showed rows of people marching in unison up La Trobe Street, led by a banner and flags, with drums and cymbals. All wore black balaclavas or face coverings except the man at the front.
Allan said: 'Nazis don't belong in this country and they know it. That's why they hide behind masks in the dark.' She thanked police for maintaining public order, adding: 'It's clear they need more powers, and we're giving it to them. Our criminal anti-vilification laws come into effect next month. 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.'
Police said a 26-year-old man confronted the group and was assaulted during the protest. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests were made, and police said they had a strong presence to maintain community safety. They emphasised that while they respect the right to protest, there is 'absolutely no place for antisemitic, racist or hate-based behaviour in our society'.
In a second incident believed to be linked, officers attended Bacchus Marsh train station to monitor a planned event and a counterprotest at about 9am. No assaults or arrests were made. Opposition leader Brad Battin condemned the 'scenes of intimidation', while shadow police minister David Southwick criticised the Victorian government, saying police were 'doing their job with one arm tied behind their back'. He called for permit registration and move-on laws, and urged that stronger anti-vilification laws be introduced immediately. He also suggested the group conducted a 'recruitment drive' after the march.
