How neo-Nazis slipped the net and used NSW parliament for th...

How neo-Nazis slipped the net and used NSW parliament for their vile ends

How it unfolded October 27: The NSW leader of the National Socialist Network, Jack Eltis, submitted a Form 1 application as a “notice of intention to hold a public assembly”. Eltis, a north-west Sydney tradie, who describes himself as a “white man of honour”, described himself in the form as the “NSW state leader” of White Australia. The Herald revealed the application was addressed to Lanyon. November 3: Thurtell said he was made aware of the planned rally five days before the event. He said later he did not have any information there would be any illegal activity, but acknowledged: “In hindsight, it was an oversight of mine not to tell the commissioner.” November 4: In a wide-ranging speech about the threats facing the country, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess sounded the alarm about the NSN, although he noted it had not engaged in terrorism. “I remain deeply concerned by its hateful, divisive rhetoric and increasingly violent propaganda, and the growing likelihood these things will prompt spontaneous violence, particularly in response to perceived provocation,” he told the Lowy Institute. Friday: The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Greg Piper, became aware of the planned protest. The President of the Legislative Council, Ben Franklin, was also informed. Piper said he was aghast when informed late on Friday and immediately asked his staff to contact the parliament’s security team for an urgent intervention, but was told it was too late. Saturday: The rally took place at 10am. A Herald photographer captured the event. Minns and Lanyon held a media conference about 3pm, where the premier and the police commissioner both said they had not been informed in advance. Minns raised the prospect of introducing new laws.

How it unfolded

October 27: The NSW leader of the National Socialist Network, Jack Eltis, submitted a Form 1 application as a “notice of intention to hold a public assembly”. Eltis, a north-west Sydney tradie, who describes himself as a “white man of honour”, described himself in the form as the “NSW state leader” of White Australia. The Herald revealed the application was addressed to Lanyon.

November 3: Thurtell said he was made aware of the planned rally five days before the event. He said later he did not have any information there would be any illegal activity, but acknowledged: “In hindsight, it was an oversight of mine not to tell the commissioner.”

November 4: In a wide-ranging speech about the threats facing the country, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess sounded the alarm about the NSN, although he noted it had not engaged in terrorism. “I remain deeply concerned by its hateful, divisive rhetoric and increasingly violent propaganda, and the growing likelihood these things will prompt spontaneous violence, particularly in response to perceived provocation,” he told the Lowy Institute.

Friday: The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Greg Piper, became aware of the planned protest. The President of the Legislative Council, Ben Franklin, was also informed. Piper said he was aghast when informed late on Friday and immediately asked his staff to contact the parliament’s security team for an urgent intervention, but was told it was too late.

Saturday: The rally took place at 10am. A Herald photographer captured the event. Minns and Lanyon held a media conference about 3pm, where the premier and the police commissioner both said they had not been informed in advance. Minns raised the prospect of introducing new laws.