Crossbenchers criticise police for weak response to Camp Sovereignty neo-Nazi attack

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police have been criticised for holding back on investigating and prosecuting the Camp Sovereignty attack as a hate crime, despite mounting pressure from the crossbench.

On August 31, following the Anti-Immigration march in Melbourne’s CBD, members of the National Socialist Network (NSN) stormed the camp at the Domain Parklands, which was established in 2006 by Krautungalung Elder Robbie Thorpe.

Fifteen people have been charged over the attack, including violent disorder, affray, assault, and contravening bail conditions. NSN leader Thomas Sewell was denied bail after prosecutors deemed him an “unacceptable risk” to community safety.

However, the attack has not been investigated as a hate crime, despite the AFP having the power to do so and new anti-vilification laws introduced in Victoria earlier this year.

Twenty-one members of the federal crossbench jointly wrote to the Albanese Government, Victoria Police, the AFP, and the Offices of Public Prosecutions, urging authorities to take action.

In a response to the letter seen by Southbank News, the AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said: “while on face value this incident may appear to meet the definition of hate crimes and terrorism offences … police must examine and consider all evidence available.”

The Commissioner also noted that the investigation into the attack on Camp Sovereignty remains ongoing and is being led by Victoria Police, with the AFP supporting through the National Security Investigation Team in Victoria.

When Southbank News asked Victoria Police why hate crime charges were not laid, a spokesperson said police would always apply the “strongest charges available”.

In April 2025, Parliament passed the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion) Act 2025 to strengthen Victoria’s anti-vilification laws, introducing harsher penalties for incitement and threat offences.

Senator Lidia Thorpe said the AFP and Victoria Police were showing that they did not care about the safety of First Peoples.

“The AFP has the power to investigate organised extremist violence and hate crimes, yet there have been no federal charges,” she said.

“If neo-Nazis stormed any other place of worship with weapons, it would be treated as a national security threat. Imagine if this had happened at a church, mosque or synagogue. The double standard is undeniable and unacceptable.”

She has called on the AFP to immediately lay hate crime charges, dismantle the networks behind the organised attack, and identify the NSN as a terrorist organisation.

Senator Thorpe also criticised Victoria Police’s handling of the incident.

“Victoria Police must explain why they failed to intervene and use the hate crime and vilification laws that already exist. There should also be an independent investigation into the failures of Victoria Police on the day,” she said.

On October 29, Senator Thorpe tabled a petition in the Senate with more than 400,000 signatures calling for the attack to be investigated as a hate crime.

Melbourne federal MP Sarah Witty told Southbank News she was disgusted by the attack and wanted to reiterate her care for, and solidarity with, the First Nations Australians who bore the brunt of the disgraceful actions of neo-Nazis and their supporters.

“I expect to see the people who initiated and participated in the attack held to the full force of the law,” she said.

“I condemned the attack at the time it occurred, and I reiterate my care for and solidarity with the first nations Australians who bore the brunt of the disgraceful actions of neo-Nazis and their supporters.” •