Important: Please See updated Information below paragraph 3

Updated Call to Action: Reform the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 to Enable High Court Revocation and Deportation of Thomas Sewell

Paragraph 1: Who Is Impacted
The First Nations community particularly those peacefully protesting at Camp Sovereignty have been directly and violently impacted by the actions of Thomas Sewell and the National Socialist Network. Their sacred space was invaded, cultural symbols desecrated, and their safety threatened. Women and Elders were reportedly assaulted, and the trauma inflicted reverberates far beyond the camp, affecting Indigenous Australians across the country who continue to fight for recognition, justice, and dignity.

Paragraph 2: What Is at Stake
If this behaviour is allowed to continue unchecked, it sends a dangerous message: that violent extremism and racial hatred can flourish without consequence. It undermines Australia’s commitment to reconciliation and emboldens groups that threaten the safety and cohesion of our society. Taking decisive action such as deporting Sewell would reaffirm our national values of respect, inclusion, and zero tolerance for hate-fuelled violence.

Paragraph 3: Why Is Now the Time to Act
This attack was not an isolated incident it’s part of a growing pattern of far-right intimidation. If we wait, we risk further escalation and deeper harm to vulnerable communities. The public outcry is strong, the evidence is clear, and the moral imperative is urgent. Now is the time to act decisively, to protect our communities, and to show that Australia will not tolerate hate on its soil.

Petition Update: Clarification, Legal Case & Call for Reform
Over the past 32 hours, all most 42,500 people have stood with me in calling for the deportation of Thomas Sewell. Your support has been powerful, and I’m deeply grateful to every person who signed, shared, and spoke out.

I want to clarify and apologise for a mistake in the original petition description.

At the time of writing, I stated that Sewell could be deported under existing law due to his dual citizenship and violent conduct. I’ve since learned that while Sewell was born in New Zealand and New Zealand law at the time of his birth automatically granted citizenship to anyone born on NZ soil there is no public record confirming or denying whether he still holds that citizenship today.

What We Now Know
•     Under NZ law in force in 1993, Sewell would have automatically been granted NZ citizenship at birth, unless his parents were foreign diplomats — and there’s no evidence they were.
•     He later became an Australian citizen, likely before 2012, as required for his enlistment in the Australian Army.
•     There is no public record of him renouncing NZ citizenship, which is a formal legal process.
•     Therefore, while we cannot confirm dual citizenship with absolute certainty, the legal and factual context strongly supports the likelihood that he holds both.

I take full responsibility for the earlier oversimplification. I acted in good faith, based on the best information available, but I now recognise after more rigorous research that the legal framework is more complex than I had presented. I sincerely apologise to anyone who felt misled or disappointed. Please know that was never my intention.

But this is not the end it’s a minor detour to ensure due process and uphold the rule of law.

Case for Revoking Thomas Sewell’s Australian Citizenship
I. Background Summary
•     Name: Thomas Sewell
•     Born: 1992 or 1993, New Zealand
•     Citizenship Status:
•     NZ citizen by birth (under NZ law in force at the time)
•     Australian citizen by conferral, likely before 2012
•     No public record of renunciation → likely dual citizen

II. Grounds for Revocation Under Australian Law
1.     Section 34(2)(b)(ii) — Serious Pre-Citizenship Offence
•     Requires offence committed before citizenship and conviction after applying
•     Status: No known offence before citizenship → not applicable
2.     Section 34(1) — Fraud or Misrepresentation
•     If Sewell or his family concealed material facts during the citizenship process
•     Status: No public evidence, but remains a potential investigative pathway
3.     Section 36B & 36D — Post-Citizenship Conduct
•     Previously allowed minister-only revocation for terrorism-related conduct
•     Status: Struck down by High Court rulings (Alexander, Benbrika) → now requires court process

III. Criminal Conduct & Public Threat
•     2021: Convicted for assaulting a Channel Nine security guard
•     2025: Led a violent invasion of Camp Sovereignty, First Nations women and Elders reportedly assaulted
•     Ongoing: Organises and incites racially motivated intimidation through NSN
•     Extremist Rhetoric: Publicly stated he could “become a terrorist” and “start killing people”
•     Security Risk: ASIO and national security experts have flagged far-right extremism as a growing domestic threat

IV. Legal Pathway for Revocation and Deportation
1.     Confirm Dual Citizenship
2.     Establish Legal Grounds via fraud or court-authorised revocation for post-citizenship crimes
3.     Initiate Court Process government must charge, seek court order, and prove revocation is proportionate and constitutional
4.     Deportation if citizenship is revoked and NZ citizenship confirmed, Sewell becomes a non-citizen and may be deported under the Migration Act 1958

V. Political & Moral Imperative
•     Sewell’s continued presence in Australia undermines public safety, reconciliation efforts, and the integrity of citizenship
•     Deportation would send a clear message: violent extremism has consequences
•     First Nations communities deserve equal protection under the law — not a system that shields white supremacists while punishing the marginalised

Explainer: Reforming the Australian Citizenship Act

Why Reform Is Urgently Needed
Australia’s current citizenship laws make it nearly impossible to revoke citizenship from violent extremists even when they hold dual nationality and pose a clear threat to public safety. The law protects citizenship as a near-untouchable status, even in cases of hate-fuelled violence, racial intimidation, and ideological extremism.

Recent High Court rulings have made it clear:
Citizenship cannot be revoked by a Minister alone for post-citizenship conduct even if that conduct includes terrorism, assault, or incitement to violence.

This means that individuals like Thomas Sewell a convicted violent offender and neo-Nazi organiser cannot be stripped of citizenship or deported under current law, despite leading a group that threatens social cohesion.

What the Reform Would Do
We propose a targeted, constitutionally sound reform to the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 that would:
1.     Allow Court-Ordered Revocation for Serious Post-Citizenship Crimes
2.     Require Dual Citizenship to avoid statelessness
3.     Ensure Due Process fair trial, appeal rights, judicial oversight
4.     Enable Deportation After Revocation under the Migration Act 1958

Why This Reform Matters
•     Closes a dangerous loophole that allows violent extremists to retain citizenship
•     Restores public confidence in the integrity of Australian citizenship
•     Ensures citizenship is not a shield for hate, violence, or racial intimidation
•     Protects First Nations communities, migrants, and vulnerable groups from organised extremist harm

What This Reform Is Not
•     Not a blanket power for political dissent or minor offences
•     Not a minister-only power requires court oversight
•     Not discriminatory, applies equally to all dual nationals convicted of serious crimes

The Bottom Line
Citizenship is a privilege and those who abuse it to harm others should face consequences. If Parliament doesn’t act, Australia will remain powerless to remove violent extremists who exploit legal protections to spread hate. Reform is not just possible it’s essential.

Thank you for standing with me. Let’s keep going.

Updated at 3:48am AEST — 03/09/2025