Neo-Nazis have occupied the steps of Victoria’s parliament twice in two years. Are protest laws to blame?

Calls for tougher ‘move-on’ laws overlook the fact that police already have considerable powers in Victoria

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As neo-Nazis occupied the steps of Victoria’s parliament for the second time in as many years, many are asking the question: how has this happened again – and what can be done to prevent it?

On Sunday, neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell, the leader of the National Socialist Network (NSN), mounted the steps of the building, stood behind a podium draped with an Australian flag and delivered what can only be described as the keynote speech at the city’s March for Australia rally. Neo-Nazis were also involved in rallies in other states, although statements on the March for Australia Facebook page distanced the events from white supremacists.