James Lachlan Morrison pleads guilty to involvement in ‘Nazi’ banner displayed on M1
One of the people who helped amplify a Nazi banner - with a swastika and ‘Hitler was right’ message - has explained why he did it. Find out what his lawyer told court and the punishment.
Police & Courts
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One of the people involved in displaying a ‘Nazi’ banner – including a swastika and the message “Hitler was right” – above the M1 claimed it was a protest for free speech, a court has been told.
Southport Magistrates Court was told James Lachlan Morrison, 22, helped make the banner that was draped over the Oxenford overpass on November 26 last year.
It was heard it came shortly after proposed bans on the display of Nazi symbols in public were announced.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Glenn Whittle said the banner displayed a swastika and a hammer and sickle, reading, “You can display this (the hammer and sickle) but can’t display that (referring to the swastika)”.
Sgt Whittle said it also contained the messages ‘Hitler was right’ and ‘NSM Aus’, referring to “emerging extreme right-wing group” the National Socialist Movement.
The court was told Morrison was not one of the four people dressed in all black seen holding up the banner, but flew an unauthorised drone above the highway to film the “flag drop”.
Sgt Whittle said Morrison later uploaded and sent out the footage.
Morrison appeared in court with no criminal history.
Defence barrister Martin Longhurst, instructed by TWC Lawyers, said his client struggled socially after moving interstate and turned to the internet, finding himself in an “echo chamber” where ideas were endorsed without objective criticism.
He said the sign’s content was unacceptable by reasonable standards, but was geared towards freedom of speech rather than a “more nefarious” purpose.
“What is relevant is that it’s not just an inexplicable flag drop for no reason – the messaging, no matter how ham-fisted or poorly worded, is political,” Mr Longhurst said.
“He has the internet (and has) descended into some corners of it most people wouldn’t, and that’s where he’s found people he’s made a connection with, for better or worse.”
Morrison pleaded guilty to one count each of erecting or constructing a placard across a road and flying a drone over a populous area.
He was fined $600 and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond. No conviction was recorded.
One of other people charged in relation to the incident, Oxenford man Christian Boyle, is due to have a part-heard hearing resume later this week.
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