Senator Lidia Thorpe, with support from 21 members of the federal crossbench, has written to the Albanese Government, Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police, and the Offices of Public Prosecutions, calling for the violent 31 August attack on Camp Sovereignty to be investigated as a hate crime and act of terrorism.
The joint letter comes as a petition calling for a hate crime investigation into the incident has reached almost 400,000 signatures.
Camp Sovereignty is a sacred site where the remains of ancestors from 38 Nations were repatriated and buried. It is a place of healing, culture, and connection for First Peoples.
The premeditated attack was perpetrated by self-identifying neo-Nazis who caused serious injuries to First Peoples and young women. Property was destroyed, the site was desecrated, and the Aboriginal flag was trampled.
While charges have been laid against some of the perpetrators, these charges do not extend to hate crimes and fail to recognise the racial hatred that motivated the attack. The accused are due to front court in December.
The joint crossbench letter stresses that the violence was racially and ideologically motivated, and the attack targeted people with protected attributes including racial status.
Senator Thorpe and the majority of the crossbench are calling for authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible under federal and state hate crime and terrorism laws.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
"The horrific neo-nazi attack on Camp Sovereignty in August was an attack on First Peoples. It was calculated and designed to intimidate, terrorise, and spread fear in First Peoples and the broader black and brown community."
"It was clearly a racially motivated attack and must be investigated as a hate crime. But the response from Victoria Police and the AFP has been completely inadequate and weak.
"The AFP are willing to investigate me for a speech I made, but not willing to investigate a gang of violent neo-Nazis when they commit violence against Aboriginal people. That is a racist double standard by any measure.
"We are calling on the Albanese Government, Victoria Police, the AFP, and public prosecutors to investigate and prosecute this violence under hate crime and terrorism laws.
"And it’s not just me saying this – I’ve discussed this with the broader crossbench and have their support. Online, we’re also seeing huge public support, with almost 400,000 people backing a petition for a hate crime investigation.
"Albanese and the authorities must respond and act.
"This is about justice, accountability, and protecting our communities from the growing threat of far-right terror. These dangerous groups need to be taken much more seriously.
"Camp Sovereignty was established by my uncle, Krautungalung Elder Robbie Thorpe, as a place of healing, culture, and connection. It is our place of worship.
"If we saw the same thing happen at a synagogue or a church, the AFP and the Prime Minister would have jumped to action. But again, First Peoples are treated as lesser.
"The safety of our communities must come first. Governments, police, and prosecutors have a duty to act decisively. This is about preventing further attacks, holding perpetrators accountable, and sending a clear message: violence and racism will never be tolerated."