Three neo-Nazis who booed a Welcome to Country at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance on Anzac Day last year have been found guilty of offensive behaviour.
During a Welcome to Country at the Shrine on Anzac Day 2025, hecklers shouted over Bunurong Elder Uncle Mark Brown, demanding the ceremony be stopped. Their calls were quickly drowned out by applause from the crowd.
On Thursday, the ABC reported Magistrate James FitzGerald found Jacob Hersant, Nathan Bull and Michael Nelson — all well-known white supremacists — guilty of behaving in an offensive manner in public.
A fourth man, Ballarat dentist Ian Lomax — who has been suspended from practising after allegations surfaced connecting him to neo-Nazi rallies — was also found guilty.
Prosecutors alleged racist taunts were made during the disruption, with Magistrate FitzGerald accepting the men's conduct breached Victoria's Summary Offences Act.
Two other charges were dismissed.
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In comments reported by the ABC, Magistrate FitzGerald acknowledged there were differing views about the use of Welcome to Country ceremonies.
However, he found beyond reasonable doubt the booing was offensive because of the "hushed and reverential nature" of the dawn service, which he said was not a time for "noisy argument, heated debate, or the indignant expression of political views".
"The behaviour engaged in in this case ruined this moment of national commemoration for those attending," he said.
"It was transgressive behaviour that would be likely to arouse significant anger, significant resentment, outrage, disgust, or hatred in the mind of a reasonable person."
Mr Hersant, a senior figure in the National Socialist Network before the group disbanded earlier this year, was the first Victorian found guilty of performing a Nazi salute in public and spent a month in jail after losing his appeal.
During the hearing, he and the other accused argued the booing was a political act and fell within the bounds of political speech.
First-time offenders found guilty under the act can face up to two months' imprisonment or a fine of up to $2,000.
Mr Hersant and Mr Nelson were convicted and fined $1,900 each, while Mr Bull was fined $1,000 and Mr Lomax $800, with both avoiding conviction.
The disruption sparked widespread condemnation at the time and dominated headlines for days.
"A neo-Nazi disrupting this day is appalling - it has no place here," Premier Jacinta Allan said at the time.
"To pierce the sombre silence of the Dawn Service is more than disrespect — it dishonours all who have served, fought and fallen."
