Sovereign citizens and the far right pose a serious threat to Australia’s social unity, the nation’s leader warns after the funerals of two police officers whose accused killer remains on the run.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 34, died in Porepunkah, about 300km northeast of Melbourne, on August 26.
Freeman, 56, is connected to the sovereign citizen movement, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as a “threat” to Australia along with far-right agitators.
“The social cohesion issue is something that causes me a great deal of distress,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
“The fact that some people think that the government isn’t legitimate, the so-called sovereign citizens engage, therefore, in lawlessness because they don’t accept the law.”
He also hit out at neo-Nazis speaking from the steps of Victorian Parliament during anti-immigration rallies, describing it as a “shocking event”.
The prime minister was among thousands of mourners who paid tribute to Det Sen Const Thompson at a Victoria Police funeral in Melbourne on Monday. He also attended Friday’s service for Sen Const de Waart-Hottart.
Family, friends and colleagues of the 38-year Victoria Police veteran, who was due to retire within weeks, poured out their hearts out in an emotional service.
His partner Lisa Thompson said he taught her how to love without fear, and how to be brave when scared.
“Honey, I’m so grateful you did because I am scared,” the Benalla-based sergeant said.
“I don’t want to live my life without you and I don’t want to finish our dreams on my own. But I will, I promise.”
Leading Senior Constable Timothy Doyle said his great mate would have loved the fuss made in his memory.
“I can hear him, saying ‘you wouldn’t get the prime minister at your funeral, junior’,” he said to laughter.
Jason Williams, who met the keen fisherman, hunter and Essendon fan 25 years ago when they were detectives in the crime department, said his long-time friend knew the risks of policing.
“I say from the bottom of my heart to those who were with Thommo when this tragedy unfolded, never blame yourself for what happened,” he said.
“We know who to blame.”
The force is still coming to terms with the deaths of the veteran detective and Sen Const de Waart-Hottart.
A third officer was also wounded when 10 officers attempted to serve a warrant on the home of Freeman.
Tuesday marks two weeks since the alleged gunman, 56, was last seen fleeing into bushland in Victoria’s high country.
Police believe he might be receiving help from people within his network, offering a $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
More than 100 properties have been searched for the fugitive, with hundreds of officers still in the area trying to track him down.
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