A military veteran, Charles Mark Cameron, expressed regret after photographing his friend, Craig Jason Elston, as he unfurled a Nazi swastika flag near a Jewish museum in Sydney. Both men, aged 44 and 51, have been charged with publicly displaying a Nazi symbol without reasonable excuse, amid growing concerns over antisemitism and recent attacks on Jewish sites in Australia. Cameron, who served in the Australian Defence Force for 20 years, insisted he does not hold antisemitic views, as noted by his legal counsel.
The incident occurred just hours after new legislation was proposed to impose one-year minimum jail sentences for displaying Nazi symbols, though the law is still awaiting assent. They were arrested subsequently at another bar and chargeable under New South Wales law, which has a maximum penalty of one year in jail. Magistrate Greg Grogin expressed concerns about public safety, stating the actions could promote unacceptable behaviour and indicated that Cameron might pose a risk if released.
Elston, who was eager to display his new war memorabilia, pleaded guilty and withdrew his bail application. Both men were remanded in custody until their next court date, with tougher penalties for antisemitic acts being considered in New South Wales following a rise in hate-related incidents.