Queensland Police charge men over ‘Nazi’ hate banner displayed at Helensvale

Police have seized offensive and racist banners and stickers after searches across south east Queensland.

Men flying an offensive banner on the M1 at Helensvale in November last year. Picture: Supplied

Police have seized offensive and racist banners and stickers after conducting searches across southeast Queensland including Pimpama and Oxenford.

On Tuesday officers found offences banners, stickers, flyers, computer devices and other items when the Queensland Police counter-terrorism investigation group raided the Pimpama, Oxenford and Toowong homes.

One of the banners seized is alleged to have been displayed on the Pacific Highway at Helensvale in November last year.

Men flying an offensive banner on the M1 at Helensvale in November last year. Picture: Supplied

The images allegedly included Nazi symbols including the swastika, racist slogans, a German SS uniform, and stickers claiming the “white revolution is the only solution”.

The Bulletin has chosen not to show all of the images due the highly offensive nature of some.

Police will allege the three men are responsible for incidents involving offensive imagery being posted in public, causing damage to infrastructure and sparking community concern.

It is not alleged the three men are linked.

A 20-year-old Pimpama man has been charged with two counts of wilful damage.

A 42-year-old Oxenford man has been charged with one count of wilful damage and one count of public nuisance.

One of the uniforms seized by police. Picture: Queensland Police

A 21-year-old Toowong man has been charged with two counts of wilful damage and two counts of contravening storage measures and other precautions about access to restricted items.

Acting Detective Superintendent Leonie Steyger from the Counter Terrorism Investigation Group said there was no indication the men were part of an organised group.

She said the Toowong man and the Oxenford man were known to each other but neither man knew the Pimpama man.

“There is no indication to suggest that they were part of a larger organised group,” Det Supt Steyger said.

“We are talking about two separate matters … one relates to the Pimpama man (allegedly) putting symbols and stickers up and the other incidents relate to the wilful damage in other areas and also the banner that was displayed.

“All three persons weren’t linked.

“There is no concern for the community to be worried about any larger groups or any further acts of extremism.

“These matters and these persons have been contained.”

Det Supt Steyger said there was no connection “at this stage” to any online forums.

All three men are set to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 28.

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