The Victorian Premier has doubled down on her support for a multicultural Australia just hours after being called a ‘coward’ by a prominent neo-Nazi leader.
National Socialist Network founder Thomas Sewell hijacked Jacinta Allan’s press conference in Melbourne’s west early on Tuesday morning.
Allan was responding to questions about Sewell’s role in Sunday’s nationwide anti-immigration rallies when he began shouting at the press pack.
‘Hey Jacinta Allan, why don’t Australians have the right to protest? Why don’t Australians have a right to protest?’ Sewell falsely claimed.
‘Shouldn’t we have the right to speak in our own country, you coward. We’re going to take this country back from politicians like you.
‘I’ve never seen anyone shake your hand. I had 500 people come up to me and shake my hand on the weekend.’
Hours after the aborted presser, Allan proudly shared a series of photos from a multiethnic community event held in Hampton Park on her social media.
‘Memo to no one in particular: this is what the real Victoria looks like. And we’re better for it,’ she wrote alongside photos of her mingling with attendees.
National Socialist Network founder Thomas Sewell (pictured) hijacked the Victorian Premier’s press conference in Melbourne’s west on Tuesday morning
Sewell was bustled away from the press conference by security guards (pictured)
Jacinta Allan (pictured left) was responding to questions about Sunday’s anti-immigration rallies when the neo-Nazi leader began shouting at her off-camera
‘Different families, different faiths, but the same Victorian values: love for our neighbours, respect for each other, and pride in ourselves.’
The ‘Bring Your Bills’ event is run by Southeast Community Links and is known for supporting local multiethnic communities.
Allan released a statement shortly after her clash with Sewell, saying she was proud her government was opposed by extremists.
‘I am unharmed and undeterred following this morning’s events at a press conference. It comes as no surprise that Nazis oppose me and my government. I wear that as a badge of honour,’ she wrote.
‘But this isn’t about me. It’s about all the other people in the community who Nazis target – like multicultural people, LGBTIQA+ people, First Peoples, and Jews.’
Sewell later claimed his appearance at the press conference was coincidental and that he had stumbled across the event on the way to Melbourne Magistrate’s Court, where he was contesting unrelated charges over the alleged intimidation of a police officer and breaching two personal intervention orders last year.
During a break in proceedings, he and two members of his group were arrested by police over their alleged role in an attack on a First Nations protest camp.
Between 20 and 30 men dressed in black were filmed attacking the site, Camp Sovereignty, on Sunday evening – reportedly injuring four people.
The premier shared photos from a community event just hours after Sewell’s interruption
Sewell is seen addressing crowds on the steps of Parliament House during the March for Australia anti-immigration rally in Melbourne on Sunday
Thomas Sewell (pictured right) is seen getting ready to throw a punch during violent scenes after members of the National Socialist Network stormed the First Nations protest group, Camp Sovereignty, at King’s Domain in Melbourne
Disturbing footage showed several men verbally abusing those gathered at the makeshift camp, while some stomped on an Aboriginal flag.
A Victoria Police spokesman said members of Camp Sovereignty were attacked with ‘sticks and flagpoles’ during the unprovoked attack.
Sewell was charged with violent disorder, affray, assault by kicking, discharging a missile and other offences over the alleged incident.
He has been remanded to appear at Melbourne’s Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
