A neo-Nazi march through a Victorian town has sparked outrage, with police actions being questioned.
Ballarat locals were shocked as dozens of black-clad masked men from the National Socialist Network paraded down Sturt Street in the city center on Sunday afternoon.
Led by a single unmasked man and another holding a megaphone, the group was heard shouting “Australia for the white man”, which also adorned the white banner they carried, as they marched down the middle of the road.
“Hail victory,” they also heard singing.
A neo-Nazi group has brazenly marched through the center of the Victorian city of Ballarat
The group were also heard singing Rule Britannia as they marched and seen taking photos at Ballarat's Eureka monument.
Victoria Police have confirmed they attended the unplanned demonstration at 12.30pm.
'No significant incidents occurred during the demonstration. But of course the police will assess every view or camera surveillance from that day onwards,” said a spokesperson.
“Our top priority was to keep the peace to ensure the event did not impact the safety of the wider community.
'Everyone has the right to feel safe in our community, no matter who they are.
“We understand that incidents of anti-Semitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened and vulnerable. Hate and prejudice have no place in our society.'
Ballarat Community Alliance said they were aware of the protests and had demanded a swift response from police, adding that 'neo-Nazis are not welcome'.
The neo-Nazi protesters were also escorted by police along the back roads near Sovereign Hill's popular tourist attractions.
“We condemn this group of attacks and their message of hate,” the group said.
“They have come to Ballarat to co-opt the Eureka heritage during the inclusive and peaceful commemoration of the anniversary of the Eureka Stockade.
“We are a proud multicultural city and in the recent referendum we were one of the largest yes votes in regional Australia. We are a safe and inclusive city and unequivocally condemn their presence in this city.”
The group questioned why police were not enforcing new laws banning the performance or display of Nazi symbols and gestures.
“Why were these laws not enforced by the police, who instead helped the neo-Nazis by providing safe passage across the streets for their protest?” they wrote on social media.
A man who witnessed the event said the gathering caused disbelief among bystanders and said the event was likely to coincide with the Spilled Milk music festival held the day before.
The group was also spotted walking along rural roads at the back of Sovereign Hill, followed by a police car with its lights on.
The neo-Nazi group was also seen posing and taking photos in front of the Ballarat police station
A line of cars was seen behind as the group took up the entire lane.
Many wondered why police did not intervene when they took to the streets.
“So they disrupt traffic and don't get arrested? Climate protesters would end up in jail almost immediately!' someone wrote on social media.
It's not the first time the area has been the target of neo-Nazi protests, with residents saying they felt in danger after a group of men descended on the town of Halls Gap, 150 kilometers northwest of Ballarat, on Australia Day 2021 .
Photos from the rally showed shirtless men wearing balaclavas and burning a cross.
The protest was likely linked to the anniversary of the Eureka stockade, where gold miners battled with police and military over land rights and supervision of their work.
In October, Victoria banned the Nazi salute, also by law covering anything that closely resembles a Nazi gesture or symbol.
This came just days after Ny Breaking Australia recorded disturbing footage of a young man giving the Nazi salute and shouting “Heil Hitler” amid footage of a large Nazi protest in Melbourne.
Ny Breaking Australia on Saturday revealed video footage of a group of masked men and women making banned Nazi salutes and carrying a banner reading 'Expose Jewish Power' at Flinders Street train station.
In October, a group of men, identifying themselves as members of the National Socialist Network, stormed through a central train station in Melbourne before boarding a suburban train.
Once on board, they scared the passengers on board by mocking them and singing white supremacist songs.
Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.