Charges against Mason James Robbins, a 30-year-old from Perth, have been dropped following his arrest at a neo-Nazi demonstration on Australia Day. Robbins was part of a group of 17 members from the National Socialist Network (NSN) facing accusations relating to their gathering at the South Australian War Memorial. Initially charged with possessing an offensive weapon and using Nazi symbols or gestures, Robbins was granted bail on January 28 to consult legal counsel.
During his latest court appearance on Tuesday, the prosecutor, Ciara Fanning-Walsh, requested to withdraw both charges based on undisclosed information. The police did not elaborate on the reasons behind the decision to drop the charges, but they agreed to reimburse Robbins for his legal expenses, amounting to $1,210.
The charge involving the Nazi symbol stemmed from Robbins wearing an arrow cross, the insignia of the NSN. New legislation in South Australia, which took effect in 2024, imposes significant penalties for displaying Nazi emblems or performing Nazi salutes in public.
Previously, during court proceedings, a prosecutor had characterised the NSN as a right-wing extremist organisation advocating for a race war to establish a white separatist ethno-state. In Robbins’ initial appearance, his lawyer noted potential constitutional issues regarding the freedom of political communication that might complicate the situation.
The prosecutor countered by asserting that the NSN did not qualify as a political party and engaged in criminal behaviour during the incident. Another individual involved, Shannen Bartel, a 24-year-old from Brompton, also had his charges dropped, with police agreeing to cover his legal costs.
Other group members, hailing from various states, are scheduled for court appearances later in March and April. This includes NSN leader Thomas Sewell, who has yet to enter a plea concerning charges of loitering and displaying Nazi symbols. Initially resistant to bail, Sewell eventually complied with the court’s authority and was released.
The events highlight ongoing discussions around hate speech and the legal frameworks governing political expression in Australia, particularly concerning extremist groups.