Alleged Neo-Nazi charged under new hate laws at Australia Day rally

A Sydney man accused of delivering an antisemitic tirade at an Australia Day rally has been alleged to have shown “brazen and public incitement towards the Jewish community”.

31-yr-old Brandan Koschel was arrested shortly after speaking at the anti-immigration March for Australia rally at Moore Park, where he allegedly told the crowd that Jewish people were the “greatest enemy” of the nation and of Western civilisation.

The 45-second speech was live-streamed on YouTube and other platforms and drew cheers from sections of the crowd; the court was told.

He has been charged with publicly inciting racial hatred under newly passed NSW laws introduced after the Bondi Beach antisemitic terror attack that killed 15 people. During a virtual bail hearing on Tuesday, police described their case as strong, noting Koschel had referenced the new laws before allegedly breaching them moments later. Police argue he poses an unacceptable risk to the community and should be denied bail.

“The brazen and public incitement towards the Jewish community makes him an unacceptable risk to endanger the community,” the police prosecutor told the court.

Footage tendered in evidence shows Koschel wearing a black shirt emblazoned with a white Celtic cross, a symbol widely associated with neo-Nazi ideology. Police allege he was seen shortly beforehand standing with people known to be part of, or affiliated with, the National Socialist Network, the country’s largest neo-Nazi group.

The court was told open-source material suggested Koschel had also been a member of the network. In his speech, he praised imprisoned white nationalist figures and ended with extremist slogans, including calls to “Free Joel Davis” and references to neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell.

Placards calling for Davis’s release were visible among the crowd. Davis, a Sydney-based extremist figure, has been on remand since November over a public call to “rhetorically rape” federal MP Allegra Spender, whose Wentworth electorate in Sydney’s east includes a large Jewish population.

Koschel’s lawyer, Jasmine Lau, told the court the National Socialist Network had disbanded in recent weeks and there was no allegation her client was affiliated with any active group.

She argued it was unlikely Koschel would face a custodial sentence if convicted, citing his family ties to Sydney, lack of access to firearms, and a limited criminal history with no prior hate-related offences.

Koschel remained largely silent during the hearing, speaking only to confirm his identity and his understanding of the proceedings. Magistrate Daniel Covington denied bail later on Tuesday, citing Koschel’s alleged links to neo-Nazi ideology and the risk he poses to the community as key factors. Koschel will remain in custody pending trial.

David Ossip, President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, said the remarks followed a disturbing pattern of escalating rhetoric. He pointed to neo-Nazis gathering outside NSW Parliament last year to call for the abolition of what they termed the “Jewish lobby” and warned that claims declaring “Jews are enemies” place Australians at risk.

He said such statements endanger public safety, welcomed the NSW Police’s swift response in the latest case, and noted that the matter is now before the courts.

NSW Police said investigations into the rally are continuing, including the conduct of other participants and the use of extremist symbols and slogans at the event. Jewish community leaders have condemned the speech, warning that open incitement at public rallies poses a serious risk and reflects the growing normalisation of antisemitic rhetoric in Australia.

Koschelhas been remanded in custody until February 3, when the case comes before Downing Centre Local Court.

With AAP