Barnaby Joyce says he unknowingly encountered neo-Nazi activist Thomas Sewell in Canberra
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce claimed he did not recognize neo-Nazi activist Thomas Sewell when the latter approached him and others at a bar in Canberra.
Barnaby Joyce told reporters he was having a drink with a companion at Casino Canberra when a group of men approached, talking about Anglo-Celtic immigration. Feeling uncomfortable, he said he quietly left the conversation. He later discovered that the group contained Thomas Sewell, described as a prominent neo-Nazi activist, and another ultra-right individual, Hugo Lennon.
Joyce maintained he had never heard of Sewell before the encounter and that there was no pre-arranged meeting. He emphasized he does not follow the Nazi party and found the men “weird”. The incident highlights an inadvertent contact between a federal MP and extremist figures.
Why it matters
It reveals a federal politician’s accidental interaction with extremist individuals, raising concerns about political awareness and security.
How this story developed
- Sep 16 Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to unveil long-delayed migration reforms
- Sep 17 The reforms now include a “no further stay” clause for visitor visas and limit student family arrivals.
- Sep 18 Burke delivered the reforms at the National Press Club, triggering protests and political criticism.
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