Anonymous posts in local Facebook groups promoting an appearance by Member for New England Barnaby Joyce at an unauthorised political rally planned to be held in Tamworth in January have been quickly deleted.
The social media posts that appeared on Sunday had little detail on where or what exactly is planned, and most have now been deleted. The graphic poster for the apparently fake event was clearly AI generated, and depicts Joyce with many distorted Australian and Aboriginal flags, as well as rows of soldiers, clear anti-immigration rhetoric, and clearly stated Barnaby Joyce would be the feature speaker.
The event appeared to be connected to a series of violent rallies held under the ‘March for Australia’ banner last October, and somewhat similar to the unauthorised ‘Put Australia First’ event headlined by Joyce in Surry Hills on December 21.
At that event, a small group of protesters, some brandishing Australian flags and others anti-Islam banners, descended on a park in central Sydney a week to the day after 15 people were killed in the Chanukah Massacre. Mr Joyce shared the stage with known anti-vaxxers and others espousing intolerant views at the event, which police and Premier Chris Minns had implored organisers not to hold while the dead were still being buried.
Terrorists Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, were allegedly inspired by Islamic State – the alleged justification for the anti-Islamic sentiment on display at the rally. However, police have now confirmed that the long time Australian resident Sajid and Australian born citizen Naveed acted alone, were not part of a broader terror organisation, and had not trained with ISIS in the Phillipines.
Addressing the crowd on December 21, Mr Joyce said people who wanted to harm Australians should be “sent back to wherever hell they came from”, despite it being known at the time that at least one of the terrorists was Australian born.
Mr Joyce added the “weak” prime minister should be removed from office, prompting cries of “sack him” from the crowd.
It is understood some of the participants from that rally then made their way to Bondi, and it was this group who were primarily responsible for the booing of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Light Over Darkness event at Bondi Beach later that day, horrifying many in the very conservative and respectful Jewish community.
The poster shared to Facebook on Sunday night, which New England Times are not posting so as to help prevent further disinformation, used much of the same themes as the December 21 event, including the line “Put Australia First”.
However, staff of Mr Joyce say he has no knowledge of an event in Tamworth and no plans to speak at the promoted event.
NSW Police say they are aware of the social media posts for an event for Tamworth, but understand there is no such event planned.
“The NSW Police Force is aware of the social posts,” a spokesperson said, “however has not received a Form 1 in relation to a public assembly.”
The NSW Police media team later said that further inquiries have indicted the event isn’t going ahead.
Under NSW and Australian law, there is no explicit right to protest or assembly, only an inferred right of political speech necessary to enable free and fair elections. In NSW, anyone intending to hold a public assembly, such as a protest or rally, must advise the police by completing a ‘Form 1’ notification at least seven days prior to the event. Failure to do so, or if the police object to the application – such as on the grounds of public safety – could see those who attend the event arrested or fined.
Like what you’re reading? Support New England Times by making a small contribution today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Donate now