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April 14, 2025
Monday 14 April 2025
Gemma Crotty
Sky News
Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson has been targeted by a neo-Nazi protest as people clad in black rallied outside his office on the weekend, but the Liberal Senator refuses to be intimidated by the incident.
Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson has been targeted by a neo-Nazi protest as his office was crashed by men clad in black on Sunday.
A social media video depicted about 20 people covered in black clothing gathering outside the Liberal Senator’s office on York Street, South Melbourne, according to The Australian.
The group formed a barricade outside the building, bearing a large banner reading, “Liberal or Labor Third World Australia”, as the group’s apparent leader led the members in chants through a microphone.
The slogans included “Australia for the white man” and “hail victory”.
The leader argued, “Our people are displaced by swarms of foreigners”, adding, “every excess is allowed to fester in our city”.
“Our people are deprived of housing and are forced to compete with foreigners here and abroad for stagnating wages of diminishing value. The Liberal Party is swapping us with third world populations, and the Labor Party is dragging us into third world conditions,” he said.
“Both are the same. Each is an interchangeable conspirator.”
The man is reported to have apparently done a Nazi salute at one point.
Victoria Police said the group dispersed before officers arrived as they confirmed investigations were underway.
“Police responded to a report of a protest in South Melbourne on 13 April,” a spokesperson said.
“It is understood a group of 20 people were outside a business on York Street about 1.15pm.
“Investigators are currently making enquiries into the incident and if any offences were committed.”
Mr Paterson in a statement said he refused to be intimidated by the incident as he slammed the protesters as “cosplaying losers”.
“I certainly won’t be lectured on patriotism from people who worship a failed foreign regime. These protesters only make me more determined to protect Australians from extremists of all stripes,” he said, according to The Australian.
“I’m not remotely intimidated by cosplaying losers who hide their faces behind masks.”
Mr Paterson has been outspoken on the matter of neo-Nazis and antisemitism after the issues surged in the wake of the October 7 attacks.
The rise of antisemitic incidents, including vile graffiti and the firebombing of a synagogue, has sparked fears about the increased risk of terrorism.