Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed new proposed laws aimed at restricting masks and balaclavas at protests, a move prompted by rising concern over extremist rallies and ongoing public debate about rights to peaceful assembly.
The renewed conversation on protest laws follows a recent neo-Nazi rally outside the New South Wales parliament. Around 60 men, dressed in black, gathered on Macquarie Street, carrying banners and chanting extremist slogans. The event, deemed “authorised” by NSW Police, was allowed under the Summary Offences Act after organisers submitted a notice seven days in advance and no court moved to prohibit the gathering.
“The police area command must evaluate the details provided in the Form 1. They felt confident that it was not something they needed to oppose,” NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon explained, per ABC.
The commissioner also noted a breakdown in communication led to him not briefing the government, and he would reassess the decision given the public backlash.
Premier Chris Minns called the rally “shameful, absolutely shameful”, and expressed concern about legal powers regarding which protests can be contested or refused by police. Minns also said, “If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. Does anyone believe that after dipping their toe into racism in Sydney, they’re going to stop here?”
Anthony Albanese backs states in banning face masks
On ABC Radio Melbourne, Prime Minister Albanese supported moves by states to limit facial coverings at public protests.
When Albanese was asked if we need to ban masks and “Nazi chants like ‘Blood Honour'”, he said, “Yes, in a word, yes. And the NSW Government has said that they’re looking at changing laws.
“Hate has no place in our society. And the sort of vilification that we’ve seen – the fact that these Nazis in NSW notified the police and were essentially given permission to conduct such a hateful activity is completely unacceptable. And the NSW Premier has made that clear,” he said.
When asked if he was “uncomfortable” with masks at protests, the prime minister replied, “Of course I am, because what that enables is to encourage activity where people aren’t being identified. If people are engaged in legitimate political activity, they shouldn’t be frightened of being identified.”
When pushed on what a mask ban would mean for free speech, the PM responded: “Free speech is not about the right to vilify and to engage in antisemitic behaviour, and to encourage hatred and division and violence, which is where this all leads. The fact that there has been, only in recent times, this rise of people openly identifying as Nazis has no place in Australia”.
Legal and community responses
Jewish community groups condemned the neo-Nazi rally and called for a careful review to determine if any laws had been broken. David Ossip, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president, commented, “Evil left unconfronted becomes evil that is normalised.”
Concerns were raised by the NSW Council for Civil Liberties and others that increasing protest restrictions could risk infringing rights to peaceful assembly.
NSWCCL said laws already exist to ensure that protest “does not unduly infringe on the rights of others”, referencing the Anti-Discrimination Act and Crimes Act, both of which make racial and religious vilification and incitement illegal. Advocacy groups also highlighted that bans could create discriminatory policing situations, particularly for people with medical, religious, or privacy needs.
While government voices argue new laws are necessary to address hate and extremism, critics question whether blanket bans on face coverings may unintentionally deter peaceful dissent, escalate unsafe policing situations, or expose vulnerable protesters to surveillance and retaliation.
For now, Albanese’s endorsement signals further scrutiny of protest laws but does not settle the complicated debate over how best to manage public safety and freedom of expression in Australia.
Lead image: Getty / X / @CairnesLinda
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